Green chemistry innovations for the detection and sustainable remediation of emerging contaminants

Emerging contaminants (ECs) have become one of the most pressing challenges in environmental chemistry, representing a wide and complex range of anthropogenic and naturally derived compounds such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). These chemicals persist across environmental matrices, exhibiting mobility, bioaccumulation, and toxicity profiles that frequently evade conventional treatment methods. Although advances in analytical chemistry and materials science have markedly improved the detection and characterization of ECs, significant knowledge gaps remain in understanding their transformation mechanisms, degradation pathways, and sustainable removal. Current research underscores the need for green, energy-efficient, and cost-effective chemical approaches that minimize secondary pollution and promote circular resource recovery, aligning with global sustainability and One Health goals.This Research Topic aims to bring together novel contributions that advance green and sustainable chemistry solutions for addressing emerging contaminants throughout their environmental lifecycle. It seeks to highlight chemical innovations in analytical detection, transformation, and remediation that are environmentally benign, efficient, and adaptable to real-world conditions. The main objectives include the design of non-toxic reagents and catalytic systems; development of low-waste, energy-efficient detection and degradation methods; and creation of recyclable or regenerative materials for capture and decomposition of contaminants. As part of a systems-oriented vision, we encourage studies exploring renewable resource inputs, life-cycle assessment of chemical processes, and data-driven insights guiding green chemistry design. This Research Topic also welcomes tools integrating AI-assisted modeling, multi-omics assessment, and One Health frameworks, provided they support a chemistry-based sustainability perspective.Focusing on the chemical foundations of sustainability and environmental health, this Research Topic invites studies that connect analytical detection, mechanistic chemistry, and remediation design under green principles.To gather further insights, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Development of green solvents, catalysts, and reagents for EC detection and degradationo Sustainable analytical techniques for trace-level identification and quantificationo Photochemical, electrochemical, and catalytic transformation of ECs using eco-friendly pathwayso Bioinspired and biomaterial-based remediation systemso Circular economy approaches for contaminant recovery, conversion, and revalorizationo Life-cycle assessment of remediation technologies and chemical sustainability metricso Hybrid detection–remediation systems integrating green engineering principles Topic editors: Xiaochen Chen, Xianhua Liu, Lixin Zhu, Fan Liu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83865/green-chemistry-innovations-for-the-detection-and-sustainable-remediation-of-emerging-contaminants