Emerging Aquatic Contaminants, Human Health and Environmental Sustainability: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Literature Review Towards Achieving SDGs

Abstract

Emerging aquatic contaminants (ECs) have grown in popularity, persistence, toxicity and impact on water environment and human health making them a major concern for the global environment. Persistent contaminants including pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), microplastics, heavy metals, pesticides, and flame retardants are commonly found in surface water, ground water, sediments and aquatic organisms. Many of these pollutants exist at trace levels, but their persistent emissions, bioaccumulation, biomagnification and potential mixture effects have a potential harmful impact on biodiversity, ecosystem services, food security and public health. This challenges progress in relation to various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

The objective of this systematic literature review is to compile and synthesise scientific information on the occurrence, ecological effects, public health risks, monitoring methods, remediation technologies and relevance to sustainability of emerging aquatic contaminants in recent literature. In addition, the review assesses the contribution of existing research to the achievement of SDGs and identifies knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in the future.

The review was done according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. The emerging contaminants articles published from 2020 to 2025 were systematically retrieved from databases (ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science) with the suitable keywords for emerging contaminants, water pollution, ecological risk, human health, aquatic ecosystems, and sustainable development. After the removal of duplicates, title and abstract screening, full-text eligibility assessment and quality appraisal, relevant studies were synthesised by seven major thematic areas: (i) occurrence of emerging contaminants, (ii) microplastic pollution, (iii) heavy metal contamination, (iv) endocrine-disrupting chemicals, (v) pharmaceuticals and antibiotics, (vi) monitoring technologies, and (vii) mitigation strategies.

The literature reviewed clearly showed the presence of pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors (EDCs), pesticides, antibiotics, heavy metals and microplastics in freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine environments around the world. They have been transferred to sediments and aquatic organisms, resulting in higher ecological risks due to bioaccumulation, trophic transfer, loss of biodiversity, endocrine disruption, oxidative stress, impaired reproduction and habitat destruction. Exposure to humans is mainly via contaminated drinking water and through the consumption of seafood, and it is associated with concerns of carcinogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, neurological disorders, and endocrine-related diseases. In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, environmental DNA (eDNA), remote sensing, biosensors, and advanced analytical techniques has significantly enhanced contaminant detection, ecological risk assessment, and predictive monitoring capabilities. Other solutions for water quality improvement based on natural processes, new adsorption materials, phytoremediation, biofiltration and the implementation of circular economy practices have also demonstrated a good potential for water quality improvement and environmental sustainability.

In summary, it is evident that the integrated environmental monitoring, interdisciplinary research, enhanced regulatory measures, innovative treatment technologies and international cooperation are the keys to effective management of EACs. Improving these strategies will play a major role in supporting the protection of aquatic ecosystems, public health, water security and global efforts to achieve the SDGs.