A systematic review on the current situation of emerging pollutants in Mexico: A perspective on policies, regulation, detection, and elimination in water and wastewater

Priority list of pharmaceutical active compounds in aquatic environments of Mexico considering their occurrence, environmental and human health risks

Pharmaceutical active compounds (PhACs) are detected pollutants in aquatic environments worldwide at concentrations ranging from ng L-1 to µg L-1. Currently in Mexico, PhACs monitoring is poorly realized. In this study, a priority list of PhACs in Mexican aquatic environments has been proposed considering their occurrence, environmental and human health risks. Environmental risks were assessed as Risk Quotients (RQ) values using the PhACs concentrations detected in surface water, obtaining high risks (RQ > 1) against aquatic organisms, especially of naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, acetaminophen, 17β-estradiol, carbamazepine, ketoprofen, caffeine, while potential human health risk (RQH) were assessed on the Mexican population using the concentrations quantified in groundwater, demonstrating potential risks (RQH > 0.2) on the population, particularly of DCF and CBZ. Thus, priority list of PhACs can be used as reference for environmental monitoring in Mexican water supplies as well as PhACs monitoring in countries of the Caribbean region and Central America.

Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective

Environmental pollution is escalating due to rapid global development that often prioritizes human needs over planetary health. Despite global efforts to mitigate legacy pollutants, the continuous introduction of new substances remains a major threat to both people and the planet. In response, global initiatives are focusing on risk assessment and regulation of emerging contaminants, as demonstrated by the ongoing efforts to establish the UN's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Pollution Prevention. This review identifies the sources and impacts of emerging contaminants on planetary health, emphasizing the importance of adopting a One Health approach. Strategies for monitoring and addressing these pollutants are discussed, underscoring the need for robust and socially equitable environmental policies at both regional and international levels. Urgent actions are needed to transition toward sustainable pollution management practices to safeguard our planet for future generations.

MOFs as versatile scaffolds to explore environmental contaminants based on their luminescence bustle

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) with luminescent properties hold significant promise for environmental remediation. This review critically examines recent research on these materials design, synthesis, and applications, mainly focusing on their role in combating environmental pollutants. Through a comprehensive analysis of metal ions, ligands, and framework compositions, the review discusses the importance of tailored design and synthesis approaches in achieving desired luminescent characteristics. Key findings highlight the effectiveness of luminous MOFs as fluorescent sensors for a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, reactive species, antibiotics, and explosives. Considering all this, the review discusses future research needs and opportunities in the field of luminous MOFs. It emphasizes the importance of developing multifunctional materials, refining design methodologies, exploring sensing mechanisms, and ensuring environmental compatibility, scalability, and affordability. By providing insights into the current state of research and outlining future directions, this review is a valuable resource for researchers seeking to address environmental challenges using MOF-based solutions.

A sustainable and highly efficient fossil-free carbon from olive stones for emerging contaminants removal from different water matrices

The olive stone is a large waste product of the olive oil extraction industry. The present study investigates developing activated carbon from olive stone waste (OSAC) to remove pharmaceuticals from water. Different temperatures and olive stone: KOH ratios were studied. The OSAC produced at 750 °C and 1:3 ratio was found to have the highest porosity and surface area and was tested in the adsorption process. Diclofenac and ciprofloxacin were selected as model contaminants. The adsorption process was optimized with regards to OSAC dosage, pH, temperature, and initial concentration of adsorbate. The OSAC was found to be effective for a wide pH range (2-11) with an optimum dosage of 1 g/L at 25 °C. The pharmaceuticals were almost completely removed in 75 min. The adsorption was endothermic and followed first-order kinetics with physical mechanisms such as electrostatic possibly being the main driver. The optimum conditions were applied to test the removal of diclofenac and ciprofloxacin in synthetic water, lake water (Lake Balaton, Hungary) and secondary wastewater for seven cycles. There was little difference between the removal of the tested water matrices highlighting the potency of OSAC as an adsorbent for pharmaceutical removal in industrial applications. The removal dropped from >99% for the first cycle to 20-30% for the seventh cycle.

Degree of human activity exert differentiated influence on conventional and emerging pollutants in drinking water source

Anthropogenic pollution poses a significant threat to drinking water sources worldwide. Previous studies have focused on the occurrence of pollutants in drinking water sources, but the impact of human activities on different types of pollutants in drinking water sources is still unclear. In this study, we chose the upper reaches of the Dongjiang River (URDR) as a case study to investigate the distribution characteristics of conventional pollutants, pesticides, and antibiotics along the gradient of human intervention. Our findings reveal that human activities can effect both conventional pollutants and emerging pollutants in the URDR to varying degrees. The escalation of human activities correlates with a rising trend in conventional pollutants, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Notably, only C1 (terrestrial humus) in dissolved organic matter (DOM) exhibits this increasing pattern. Pesticide and antibiotic concentrations are highest in areas with moderate and high levels of human activity, respectively, and the degree of eutrophication of drinking water closely follows the gradient of human activity. Our results also indicate that most pesticides pose a significant risk in the URDR, particularly pyrethroid pesticides (PYRs). Out of all antibiotics, only Norfloxacin (NFX) and Penicillin G (PENG) are classified as high-risk, with NFX exhibiting significant variation across different degrees of human activity. C1 and TP were the most important factors affecting the distribution of organophosphorus (OPPs) and PYRs, respectively. In conclusion, varying degrees of human activity exert differentiated influences on conventional and emerging pollutants in drinking water sources.