Moses Adondua Abah1,2, Ajibade Adewale Abass3, Micheal Abimbola Oladosu2,4, Silas Verwiyeh Tatah1, Jackson, Soyinka Malantso5, Amina Jafaru Ocheinehi6, Nkwocha John Nnaemeka7 and Nathan Rimamsanati Yohanna1,2
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria
2ResearchHub Nexus Institute, Nigeria
3Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
5Biochemistry/Chemistry Department, Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba State, Nigeria
6Department of Physical Sciences, Eastern New Mexico University Portales, United States of America
7Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B.5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Received: Oct 2, 2025/ Revised: Nov 19, 2025/Accepted: Dec 2, 2025
(✉) Corresponding Author m.abah@fuwukari.edu.ng
Highlights
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Emerging contaminants in water include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disruptors
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Conventional wastewater treatment processes are often ineffective for complete removal
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Sources and environmental fate govern persistence and ecological risk of contaminants
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Advanced technologies such as nanomaterials and advanced oxidation show high removal efficiency
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Improved treatment strategies are essential to safeguard water resources and public health
Abstract
Emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disruptors, pose significant threats to human health and the environment. These pollutants are increasingly detected in water and wastewater, raising concerns about their potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human consumption. Conventional treatment processes often fail to remove these contaminants, highlighting the need for advanced technologies and strategies to mitigate their effects. Understanding the sources, fate, and removal of emerging contaminants is crucial for protecting water resources and ensuring a safe and sustainable water future. This review discusses emerging contaminants in wastewater with emphasis on the sources, fates and removal technologies. Findings from our study reveals that emerging contaminants like pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disruptors pose significant threats to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Studies have shown that conventional treatment processes often fail to remove these contaminants, highlighting the need for advanced technologies. Nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes and metal oxides, have demonstrated promising results in removing emerging contaminants. For instance, a study found that multiwall-carbon nanotubes/TiO2/SiO2 nanocomposites effectively removed carbamazepine and bisphenol A from aqueous solutions. Further research is needed to develop efficient removal methods. Emerging contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment. Understanding their sources, fate, and removal is crucial for protecting water resources. Advanced technologies, such as nanotechnology and advanced oxidation processes, show promise for effective removal. Further research and implementation are necessary to mitigate the impacts of emerging contaminants and ensure a safe and sustainable water future for generations to come, protecting human health and ecosystems.
Keywords: Contaminants, Pollution, Wastewater, Environment, Treatment, and Technology
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How to cite this article
Adondua Abah, M., Abass, A. A., Oladosu, M. A., Tatah, S. V., Jackson, S. M., Ocheinehi, A. J., Nnaemeka, N. J., & Yohanna, N. R. (2025). Emerging contaminants in water and wastewater: A review of sources, fate, and removal technologies. Chemical and Environmental Science Archives, 5(4), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.47587/CESA.2025.5401
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