Chapter 14 - Ecological effects of emerging contaminants: Ecotoxicity and relative environmental risk

Abstract

The frequent occurrence of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, petroleum products, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, surfactants, and plasticizers as trace environmental pollutants is a multifaceted public health concern worldwide. This is largely attributed to their well-documented toxicological impact on human health as well as general flora and fauna. As classical and conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are largely ineffective in eliminating emerging contaminants, these micropollutants are now ubiquitous in almost all environmental compartments, ultimately accumulating in the biota at different trophic levels. Consequently, this chapter aims at bringing together the current knowledge available on the environmental fate and toxicity of emerging contaminants and their metabolites, and the potential risks associated with their exposure.