Organic Pollutants In Water Research Articles

Indium-Iron Oxide Nanosized Solid Solutions as Photocatalysts for the Degradation of Pollutants under Visible Radiation.

A series of solid solutions of indium and iron oxides with different In/Fe ratios (InxFeyO3, with x + y = 2) were synthesized in the form of nanoparticles (diameter of ca. 30-40 nm) with the purpose of generating enhanced photocatalysts with an intermediate band gap compared to those of the monometallic oxides, In2O3 and Fe2O3. The materials were prepared by co-precipitation from an aqueous solution of iron and indium nitrates and extensively characterized with a combination of techniques. XRD analysis proved the formation of the desired InxFeyO3 solid solutions for Fe content in the range 5-25 mol%. UV-Vis absorption analysis showed that the substitution of In with Fe in the crystalline structure led to the anticipated gradual decrease of the band gap values compared to In2O3. The obtained semiconductors were tested as photocatalysts for the degradation of model organic pollutants (phenol and methylene blue) in water. Among the InxFeyO3 solid solutions, In1.7Fe0.3O3 displayed the highest photocatalytic activity in the degradation of the selected probe molecules under UV and visible radiation. Remarkably, In1.7Fe0.3O3 showed a significantly enhanced activity under visible light compared to monometallic indium oxide and iron oxide, and to the benchmark TiO2 P25. This demonstrates that our strategy consisting in engineering the band gap by tuning the composition of InxFeyO3 solid solutions was successful in improving the photocatalytic performance under visible light. Additionally, In1.7Fe0.3O3 fully retained its photocatalytic activity upon reuse in four consecutive cycles.

Effective mineralization of organic pollutants in real shale gas flowback water via Fenton reactions over CuNiAl LDHs catalysts

Effective mineralization of organic pollutants in real shale gas flowback water via Fenton reactions over CuNiAl LDHs catalysts

Catalytic membrane with dual-layer structure for ultrafast degradation of emerging contaminants in surface water treatment

The catalytic membrane-based oxidation-filtration process integrates physical separation and chemical oxidation, offering a highly efficient water purification strategy. However, the oxidation-filtration process is limited in practical applications due to the short residence time of milliseconds within the catalytic layer and the interference of coexisting organic pollutants in real water. Herein, a dual-layer membrane containing a top selective layer and a bottom catalytic layer was fabricated using an in situ co-casting method with a double-blade knife. Experimental results demonstrated that the selective layer rejected macromolecular organic pollutants, thereby alleviating their interference with bisphenol A (BPA) degradation. Concurrently, the catalytic layer activated peracetic acid oxidant and achieved a high BPA degradation exceeding 90 % in milliseconds with reactive oxygen species (especially •OH). The finite-element analysis confirmed a high-concentration reaction field occupying the pore cavity of the catalytic layer, enhancing collision probability between reactive oxygen species and BPA, i.e., the nano-confinement effect. Additionally, the dual-layer membrane achieved a long-term stable performance for emerging contaminant degradation in surface water treatment. This work underscores a novel catalytic membrane structure design for high-performance oxidation-filtration processes and elucidates its mechanisms underlying ultrafast degradation.

Current levels of inorganic and organic pollutants in Romanian marine waters: Implications for ecosystem health

Human activities continue to impact the Romanian Black Sea, with implications for the marine ecosystem. This study presents new data (2023) on the spatial distribution of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and nutrients in Romanian Black Sea waters. Our findings reveal the influence of various pollution sources, including the Danube River, municipal and industrial discharges, and maritime activities. Nutrient loads, primarily from the Danube and diffuse sources, exert pressure on the pelagic habitat. While there has been some improvement in nutrient conditions, the potential for increased eutrophication due to climate change remains a concern. Understanding the spatial distribution of pollutants and identifying their sources is crucial for developing effective management strategies to protect the marine environment.

WS2-Assisted Electrochemical Activation of Peroxymonosulfate for Eliminating Organic Pollutant in Water

Advanced oxidation process based on heterogeneous activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) has received significant attention in wastewater remediation. Herein, a facile and effective electrochemical method was introduced in a tungsten sulfide (WS2)-activated PMS process for the removal of a typical azo dye Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in aqueous solution. It was found that the electrochemical activation could remarkably promote the removal of organic pollutants by coupling with WS2/PMS system. The elimination of AO7 in the electro-assisted WS2-activated PMS (E/WS2/PMS) system achieved 95.8% of AO7 removal in 30 min, with the optimal conditions of 1.0 g/L WS2, 1.0 mM PMS, current density of 1.0 mA/cm2 and initial pH of 6.5. Based on quenching experiments and EPR techniques, mechanistic studies confirmed that hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2) are the primary reactive oxygen species for the oxidation of pollutants. In addition, the influences of pH, WS2 dosage, PMS concentration, current density, common anions and humic acid on the AO7 removal are also investigated in detail. Furthermore, the system exhibited resistance to aqueous matrices, verifying the accepted applicability in real water (i.e., Yangtze River water and Shahu Lake water). In summary, this study demonstrates a green system for the effective removal of contaminants in water, holding significant implications for practical application.

Sulfonated Covalent Organic Frameworks Anchoring Cobalt as High-Efficient and Stable Catalysts for Peroxymonosulfate Activation.

Heterogeneous cobalt-based catalysts are highly effective in activing peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and produce free radicals to deal with recalcitrant organic pollutants in water. However, unfeasible recyclability and gradual performance degradation remain challenging due to the easy agglomeration and leaching of active cobalt species. Herein, a strategy is proposed to construct stably anchored and highly dispersed Co2+ sites on dual functional sulfonated covalent organic frameworks (COF-Co). The sulfonic acid groups are able to realize the targeted binding with cobalt ions through a two-step cation-exchange method, leading to strong combination with active Co2+ sites and utmost utilization efficiencies. Moreover, the super-hydrophility of sulfonic acid groups favors the rapid accessibility of organic molecules to the catalyst and accelerates the degradation. Remarkably, COF-Co exhibits high activity in PMS activation, effective oxidation for tetracycline degradation (92% within 30min at 30mg L-1) and other coloring contaminants, and excellent recycle stability. This work can guide the rational design of efficient and environmentally friendly PMS-activated catalyst with great potential for application in wastewater treatment.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction Coupled Electro‐Oxidation for Highly‐Efficient and Sustainable Water Treatment

AbstractElectro‐oxidation (EO) technology demonstrates significant potential in wastewater treatment. However, the high energy consumption has become a pivotal constraint hindering its large‐scale implementation. Herein, we design an EO and 4‐electron oxygen reduction reaction coupled system (EO‐4eORR) to replace the traditional EO and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) coupled system (EO‐HER). The theoretical cathodic potential of the electrolytic reactor is tuned from 0 V (vs. RHE) in HER to 1.23 V (vs. RHE) in 4eORR, which greatly decreases the required operation voltage of the reactor. Moreover, we demonstrate that convection can improve the mass transfer of oxygen and organic pollutants in the reaction system, leading to low cathodic polarization and high pollutant removal rate. Compared with traditional EO‐HER system, the energy consumption of the EO‐4eORR system under air aeration for 95 % total organic carbon (TOC) removal is greatly decreased to 2.61 kWh/kgTOC (only consider the electrolyzer energy consumption), which is superior to previously reported EO‐based water treatment systems. The reported results in this study offer a new technical mode for development of highly efficient and sustainable EO‐based treatment systems to remove organic pollutants in waste water.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction Coupled Electro-Oxidation for Highly-Efficient and Sustainable Water Treatment.

Electro-oxidation (EO) technology demonstrates significant potential in wastewater treatment. However, the high energy consumption has become a pivotal constraint hindering its large-scale implementation. Herein, we design an EO and 4-electron oxygen reduction reaction coupled system (EO-4eORR) to replace the traditional EO and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) coupled system (EO-HER). The theoretical cathodic potential of the electrolytic reactor is tuned from 0 V (vs. RHE) in HER to 1.23 V (vs. RHE) in 4eORR, which greatly decreases the required operation voltage of the reactor. Moreover, we demonstrate that convection can improve the mass transfer of oxygen and organic pollutants in the reaction system, leading to low cathodic polarization and high pollutant removal rate. Compared with traditional EO-HER system, the energy consumption of the EO-4eORR system under air aeration for 95 % total organic carbon (TOC) removal is greatly decreased to 2.61 kWh/kgTOC (only consider the electrolyzer energy consumption), which is superior to previously reported EO-based water treatment systems. The reported results in this study offer a new technical mode for development of highly efficient and sustainable EO-based treatment systems to remove organic pollutants in waste water.

The Dual Role of Natural Organic Matter in the Degradation of Organic Pollutants by Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes: A Mini-Review

Persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes (PS-AOPs) are widely used to degrade significant amounts of organic pollutants (OPs) in water and soil matrices. The effectiveness of these processes is influenced by the presence of natural organic matter (NOM), which is ubiquitous in the environment. However, the mechanisms by which NOM affects the degradation of OPs in PS-AOPs remain poorly documented. This review systematically summarizes the dual effects of NOM in PS-AOPs, including inhibitory and promotional effects. It encompasses the entire process, detailing the interaction between PS and its activators, the fate of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the transformation of OPs within PS-AOPs. Specifically, the inhibiting mechanisms include the prevention of PS activation, suppression of ROS fate, and conversion of intermediates to their parent compounds. In contrast, the promoting effects involve the enhancement of catalytic effectiveness, contributions to ROS generation, and improved interactions between NOM and OPs. Finally, further studies are required to elucidate the reaction mechanisms of NOM in PS-AOPs and explore the practical applications of PS-AOPs using actual NOM rather than model compounds.

Sulfonate-Bonded Conjugated Microporous Polymer Hollowed-Out Spheres to Capture Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics and Cationic Dyes from Wastewater.

Developing adsorbent materials for the efficient removal of multiple organic pollutants in water is of importance technological significance. In the present work, a kind of conjugated microporous polymer (CMP) with a hollow sphere structure was constructed by applying SiO2 nanoparticles as a template and 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene (TEB) and 2,7-dibromocarbazole (27-DBCZ) as building blocks via the Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling reaction. In order to further improve the dispersibility of the as-resulting CMPs in water, hydrophilic CMPs (H-S-CMPs) were obtained by a sulfonation modification. The adsorption performance of H-S-CMPs on dyes and antibiotics was investigated, which was based on different experimental parameters such as the initial concentration, contact time, temperature, pH, and adsorbent dose. The adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamics were also studied, and the possible adsorption mechanism of H-S-CMPs was discussed. The experimental results illustrated that the adsorption process of H-S-CMPs on dyes and antibiotics is more consistent with the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacities of H-S-CMPs for rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), ciprofloxacin, and norfloxacin were 206.2, 324.7, 222.2, and 216.9 mg/g, respectively, which were determined according to the Langmuir isothern model. In addition, the adsorption mechanism of H-S-CMPs may be attributed to the synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, π-π stacking, and pore filling. After 5 cycles, H-S-CMPs still maintained good stability, and their removal rate of dyes could reach more than 70%. Notably, this polymeric hollow microsphere has been less extensively investigated as an adsorbent for the removal of dyes and antibiotics. As a result, based on the designable flexibility of CMPs and the unique structure of hollow microspheres, the material holds great promise for wastewater treatment in the presence of multiple pollutants.

An Assessment of Water Quality and Pollution Sources in a Source Region of Northwest China

China prioritizes ensuring drinking water safety, particularly in the water-scarce northwest region. This study, utilizing water quality data from 52 village and town water sources since August 2022, assesses water quality, with a specific focus on key indicators related to organic pollution sources. This study provides a scientific foundation for enhancing water quality in these sources. Employing category factor analysis for classification and grading, principal component analysis for qualitative analysis of key evaluation indicators, and the absolute principal component linear regression equation for quantitative calculation of pollution sources, this study reveals that all 52 water sources meet quality standards. Principal component analysis categorizes pollution sources as diverse types of organic compounds in surface water. Source analysis calculations highlight decay-type organic substances as major contributors to increased water color and permanganate index, with pollution contribution rates of 54.78% and 31.31%, respectively. Fecal-type organic substances dominate the increase in dissolved total solids and total coliforms, with pollution contribution rates of 56.65% and 40.16%, respectively. Additionally, high-molecular-weight organic substances exhibit lower concentrations in the water. This article presents a systematic water quality assessment methodology, which is used for the first time to qualitatively assess the types of water sources and to quantitatively trace specific sources of organic pollution in source water in northwest China. This systematic study’s results, involving initial assessment followed by traceability, recommend the adoption of a simple contact filtration and disinfection process to enhance water quality in the region.

Prussian Blue Analogue‐Based Materials: Synthesis and Their Application in Peroxymonosulfate Activation for Wastewater Treatment

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective in degrading refractory organic pollutants in water. The unique internal chemical tunability of Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), a type of metal‐organic framework materials (MOFs), makes them promising catalysts for PMS‐AOPs. However, the pristine PBA is limited in practical application due to its structural instability and easy leaching of metal ions. To this end, various methods have been developed to enhance the catalytic performance of PBAs. In this paper, the recent advances in the modification and composite strategies of PBA catalysts are systematically reviewed. PBA modification by the regulation of synthesis conditions and post‐synthesis treatment, along with composite strategies involving metal and non‐metal based materials are introduced. The structural morphology improvement, physical and chemical property adjustment, vacancy design and crystal surface modulation of PBAs induced by these modification and composite strategies are discussed in depth. In addition, the performance of the modified and composite catalysts to activate PMS for organic pollutant degradation is demonstrated. The radical pathway via SO4•‐, •OH and O2•‐, non‐radical pathway through 1O2, electron transfer process and high‐valence metal‐oxygen species, or a combination of radical and non‐radical pathways are revealed in PMS‐AOPs with PBAs and their derivatives as catalysts.

Light switchable radical and non-radical periodate activation by Fe3O4/g-C3N4 for efficient organic contaminant elimination

Although the heterogeneous activation of periodate (PI) has recently garnered significant attention for organic pollutant degradation, regulating the non-radical and radical reaction pathways remains a challenge. Herein, a Z-scheme Fe3O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction (FCN) was developed to achieve controllable radical and non-radical PI activation using a light switch. In the dark, the interaction between FCN and PI gave rise to metastable surface-activated PI complexes (PI*) via the non-radical pathway, which served as the dominant reactive species for organic elimination. Upon light irradiation, FCN acted as an electron donor for PI activation via the radical pathway, forming iodate radicals (IO3•) for pollutant destruction. Consequently, the FCN/PI/VIS system achieved complete removal of acid orange 7 in 30 min, with a pseudo-first order reaction rate about 3.5 times higher than that of FCN/PI system. The involved reactive species were validated by scavenging tests, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis, Raman spectra and electrochemical measurements. Moreover, the light switchable FCN-based PI activation system exhibited high recyclability and practicability for the treatment of various organic pollutants in water. This study provides new insights into the PI activation-mediated wastewater treatment processes.

Square-wave pulsed potential driven electrocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol using Fe-Ni/rGO/PPy@NF three dimensional electrode

To develop an energy-efficient system for the removal of chlorinated organic pollutants, Fe-Ni/reduced graphite oxide/polymerized polypyrrole@nickel foam was constructed as a catalytic cathode for pulsed electrocatalytic degradation, where cathode-catalyzed production of hydrogen radicals (H*) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) generated at the anode led to dechlorination of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), and dechlorination products were mineralized and degraded under the action of·OH. When energy was continuously supplied to the reaction system in the constant potential mode, the 4-CP concentration near the electrode was insufficient, limiting the reaction rate. Conversely, in the square-wave pulsed potential mode, mass transfer limitations were mitigated, significantly enhancing reaction efficiency and reducing energy consumption. At −1.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), the 4-CP removal efficiency reached 93.79 % in the pulsed potential mode, surpassing the constant potential mode's performance of 81.40 %. The synergistic periodic oscillation of the potential, direct electron transfer, and catalytic generation of active free radicals in the pulsed potential mode reduced intermediate concentrations and increased 4-CP mineralization, while the degradation pathway remained unchanged. This research presents a method for the efficient treatment of chlorinated organic pollutants in water using pulsed electrocatalytic degradation.

Advancing Nanopulsed Plasma Bubbles for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water: From Lab to Pilot Scale

The transition from lab-scale studies to pilot-scale applications is a critical step in advancing water remediation technologies. While laboratory experiments provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and method effectiveness, pilot-scale studies are essential for evaluating their practical feasibility and scalability. This progression addresses challenges related to operational conditions, effectiveness and energy requirements in real-world scenarios. In this study, the potential of nanopulsed plasma bubbles, when scaled up from a lab environment, was explored by investigating critical experimental parameters, such as plasma gas, pulse voltage, and pulse repetition rate, while also analyzing plasma-treated water composition. To validate the broad effectiveness of this method, various classes of highly toxic organic pollutants were examined in terms of pollutant degradation efficiency and energy requirements. The pilot-scale plasma bubble reactor generated a high concentration of short-lived reactive species with minimal production of long-lived species. Additionally, successful degradation of all pollutants was achieved in both lab- and pilot-scale setups, with even lower electrical energy-per-order (EEO) values at the pilot scale, 2–3 orders of magnitude lower compared to other advanced oxidation processes. This study aimed to bridge the gap between lab-scale plasma bubbles and upscaled systems, supporting the rapid, effective, and energy-efficient destruction of organic pollutants in water.

Enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity of titanium dioxide by adsorbing aromatic amines through N-bonding

Narrowing the wide band gap of TiO2 (∼3.2 eV) to enhance its visible light efficiency is crucial for advancing photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in industrial wastewater. In this study, we achieved band gap reduction and slowed recombination rates by adsorbing some aromatic amines, like aniline and its electron-donating derivatives, onto TiO2. The predominantly present N-bonded amine species reduced the band gap and decelerated charge carriers’ recombination, enhancing photocatalytic degradation under visible light. In contrast, the amine with electron-withdrawing group is adsorbed as only H-bonded species, which showed no improvement in photocatalytic activity, performing similarly to pristine TiO2. This surface modification strategy offers potential for creating visible light-driven photocatalysts for effective degradation of organic pollutants in water.

In-bottle thin film solid phase microextraction coupled to flow modulated comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry for monitoring of organic pollutants in environmental waters

The monitoring of organic compounds in water is critical for assessing environmental health and the effectiveness of treatment processes. In this study, we present a robust and eco-friendly approach to environmental water analysis that integrates thin film solid phase microextraction (TF-SPME) with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). This method is designed to detect multiclass organic pollutants in environmental water, thus enabling applications such as detailed analyses of changes post-treatment processes. The supervised PCA results revealed distinct clustering of the three water sample classes - raw wastewater, outflow from WWTF, and river water - each occupying separate regions in the principal component space. Several organohalogen compounds were identified as key differentiators among the water samples, highlighting significant compositional differences across the analyzed classes. Notably, an increased abundance of certain chlorinated compounds was observed in raw wastewater before it underwent purification treatment at the WWTF. Additionally, the greenness evaluation of the in-bottle TF-SPME-GC × GC-TOFMS indicated whiteness scores of 96.7% for the in-bottle TF-SPME-GC × GC-TOFMS method and 79.0% for the LLE (US EPA 8270)-GC/MS method. This approach facilitates the identification of a wide array of organic compounds, characterized by diverse physicochemical properties, through their mass spectral profiles. We applied this method to various environmental water samples, including raw wastewater, effluent from wastewater treatment facilities, and river water, to assess the impact of treatment processes on organic pollutant levels. Our developed strategy effectively monitored alterations in several organic compounds within these environmental water samples. Our results demonstrate that TF-SPME coupled with GC × GC-TOFMS proves to be both straightforward and comparable in performance to other methods for analyzing low-level organic pollutants in water samples, making it a valuable tool for environmental monitoring and discovering new emerging contaminates.

Plasma coupled with ultrasonic for degradation of organic pollutants in water: Revealing the generation of free radicals and the dominant degradation pathways

This study explores the synergistic effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma coupled with ultrasound (US) in the degradation of organic pollutants in water. The optimal degradation conditions were determined to be 100W ultrasonic power, 190V DBD plasma voltage, and neutral pH. The combination of DBD plasma and US significantly enhances the generation of reactive species (·OH, ·O2-, and 1O2), leading to a 97.3% degradation efficiency of methyl orange (MO), which is 17.3% higher than DBD plasma alone. Electron spin resonance (ESR) identified ·OH, ·O2-, and 1O2 in DBD/US system, and radical scavengers were employed to elucidate their roles. The degradation process was assessed through changes in pH, conductivity, TOC and COD, with characterization and analysis via UV-Vis and LC-MS. By combining LC-MS with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, nine intermediates were identified and three degradation pathways dominated by free radicals were established. Additionally, the DBD/US system treated wastewater containing sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfadiazine (SDZ), tetracycline (TC), and ciprofloxacin (CIP), achieving degradation rates exceeding 80%. These findings suggest that the DBD/US coupled system holds promising potential for treating organic pollutant wastewater.

Enhanced simazine degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation using hemin-doped rice husk biochar as a novel Fe/N–C catalyst

The presence of herbicides, including simazine (SIM), in aquatic environments pose significant threats to these ecosystems, necessitating a method for their removal. In this study, a hemin-doped rice husk-derived biochar (RBC@Hemin20%) was synthesized using a simple, one-step pyrolysis, and its degradation efficiency towards SIM via peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was assessed. Under optimized conditions (hemin loading = 20 wt%, SIM = 0.5 ppm, RBC@Hemin20% catalyst = 0.2 g L−1, PMS = 2.0 mM, and pH = 5.84 [unadjusted]), RBC@Hemin20%, as an Fe/N–C catalyst, could activate PMS to achieve >99% degradation of SIM. Based on radical scavenger and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) experiments, both radical (•OH and SO4•−) and non-radical (such as singlet oxygen, 1O2) mechanisms and electron transfer were involved in the degradation system. Significant mineralization (97.3%) and reusability efficiency (∼74.1% SIM degradation after 4 applications) were exhibited by the RBC@Hemin20%/PMS system, which also maintained a remarkable degradation efficiency in tap-, river-, and ground-water. Additionally, the RBC@Hemin20%/PMS system exhibited rapid degradation of tetracycline (TC) and diclofenac (DCF), indicating its prospects in the degradation of other organic pollutants of aquatic environments. The plausible degradation mechanism pathways of SIM are proposed based on identified intermediates. Finally, the toxicity of these intermediate products is analysed using the Ecological Structure Activity Relationship (ECOSAR) software. It is expected that this study will expand the current knowledge on the synthesis of efficient biomass-based Fe/N–C composites for the removal of organic pollutants in water.

Automated pretreatment of environmental water samples and non-targeted intelligent screening of organic compounds based on machine experiments

The complexity of environmental pollutants poses significant challenges for monitoring and analysis, especially with the emergence of numerous emerging contaminants. Traditional analysis methods rely mainly on laboratory analysis, which involves labor-intensive and time-consuming sample preparation procedures and non-target data analysis, greatly limiting the rapid detection of water organic pollutants. In this study, we designed a robot experimenter combined with GC × GC-TOFMS. By configuring self-developed automated analysis software, we established a fully automated process from sample collection to data characterization, for the analysis of organic pollutants. We validated the method with 111 organic standards compounds. The robot performed 2577 actions covering the entire workflow, from water sample collection to sample pre-treatment. The integration of mass spectrometry and related software enabled the automatic analysis of emerging hazardous contaminants, from sampling to the output of detection results. The results showed the automated process could qualitatively identify all compounds and demonstrated good linearity, low detection limits, and excellent quantitative ability within the range of 0.04–0.4 mg/L. The average recoveries of 82.89 % of the samples ranged from 70 % to 120 % (relative standard deviation (RSD) <15 %) at different spiked concentrations. This indicated that the established method could be used for non-targeted analysis of emerging contaminants in environmental water samples. We applied the method to samples from wastewater treatment plants and river sections, identifying 1,902 compounds across 26 categories, including 6 known hazardous contaminants found in all samples. The relative content of these characteristic compounds will inform whether treated wastewater meets discharge standards and aid in tracing the sources of pollutants. Therefore, the development of this fully automated machine experimental method enables real-time and online automatic analysis of organic pollutants in environmental water. The establishment of characteristic fingerprints can provide technical support for early warning and traceability of water quality.