ABSTRACT
In the 21st century, medications, artificial sweeteners, personal health goods, surfactants, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, and other organic compounds are being increasingly used. As a result, emerging contaminants (EC) have been found in more aquatic ecosystems. Water contains more ECs and their metabolites due to prolonged use of these products. Due to continuous exposure, many ECs are toxic and resistant to degradation, affecting aquatic creatures, microbes, and humans. Thus, ECs must be detected and quantified in aquatic settings so that appropriate removal strategies are applied based on their nature and concentration. This chapter seeks to provide a complete outlook on ECs. The sources and pathways of emerging contaminants into various aqueous environments have been discussed, along with the various issues in quantifying such contaminants. In this context, the chapter also outlines the different processes involved in sampling, storing, transportation, preservation, and analysis of such samples. The working principle of different extraction methods and analytical instruments, such as liquid and gas chromatography and their requirement in analyzing ECs, have also been discussed. Furthermore, the ecological impacts of ECs and the potential for human health risks have also been covered in this chapter.
