Emerging Contaminants in Groundwater Systems: Hydrogeochemical Processes, Health Risks, and Advanced Remediation Strategies

Groundwater systems around the world are facing growing pressure from a complex suite of emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine-disrupting compounds, microplastics, nanoparticles, and other persistent organic pollutants. Often only weakly regulated and insufficiently monitored, these pollutants pose escalating threats to environmental sustainability, ecosystem health, and human wellbeing. The challenge is particularly acute in regions with high groundwater dependency, limited treatment infrastructure, or complex hydrogeological settings such as floodplain aquifers.This Research Topic brings together interdisciplinary perspectives to advance understanding of the sources, fate, transport, and transformation pathways of emerging contaminants in groundwater systems. A central focus is placed on the hydrogeochemical processes that govern contaminant mobility, speciation, and bioavailability—including redox dynamics, mineral weathering, sorption–desorption equilibria, and microbially mediated transformations. Contributions that integrate field investigations, laboratory experiments, and modelling approaches are especially encouraged.Bridging environmental chemistry with health risk assessment is a distinctive feature of this Research Topic. We particularly welcome studies addressing links between groundwater contaminant exposure and adverse human health outcomes such as endocrine disruption, reproductive effects, and carcinogenic risks. Research that explores the co-occurrence or synergistic interactions of geogenic contaminants (e.g., arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals) with anthropogenic emerging pollutants is highly relevant to the collection.The Topic also seeks to highlight advances in detection, monitoring, and remediation technologies. This includes the use of nanotechnology-enabled sensing and treatment systems, biochar-based adsorption platforms, managed aquifer recharge strategies, nature-based solutions, and predictive modelling frameworks for contaminant risk evaluation. Studies assessing the scalability, cost-effectiveness, and real-world applicability of treatment methods are of special interest.This Research Topic is directed toward researchers and practitioners in environmental chemistry, hydrogeology, water resources engineering, toxicology, and public health. By fostering collaboration across these disciplines, the collection aims to deliver actionable insights for policymakers, water utilities, and communities confronting the escalating challenge of groundwater contamination.Suggested thematic areas: • Hydrogeochemical controls on the fate and transport of emerging contaminants in aquifer systems• Geogenic–anthropogenic contaminant interactions in floodplain and coastal groundwater environments• Health risk assessment frameworks for groundwater contaminant exposure (e.g., arsenic, fluoride, heavy metals, PPCPs)Submarine groundwater discharge as a pathway for pollutant transfer to coastal ecosystems• Predictive modelling and machine learning approaches for groundwater contamination vulnerability mapping• Nanotechnology-based monitoring of emerging organic and inorganic contaminants (fluorescent, colorimetric, electrochemical, or SERS-based sensors)• Advanced remediation and treatment strategies employing nanomaterials (oxidation processes, photocatalysis, adsorption, column chromatography)• Nanomaterial-enabled detection and control of microbial contaminants, including antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains• Biochar, managed aquifer recharge, and nature-based interventions for contaminant attenuation• Isotope hydrology and geochemical tracers for contaminant source identification and tracking• Endocrine-disrupting compounds and reproductive health implications of groundwater pollutants• Water quality modelling, monitoring frameworks, and early-warning systems for groundwater protectionAll article types are welcome, with an emphasis on Original Research, Reviews and Perspectives. Topic editors: Arbind Kumar Patel, Dr. Ajith Manayil Parambil, Ph.D., Dr. Chandrashekhar Bhagat, Ashwin Singh Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80575/emerging-contaminants-in-groundwater-systems-hydrogeochemical-processes-health-risks-and-advanced-remediation-strategies