Multidisciplinary insights into legacy and emerging contaminant dynamics in soil-water systems

Human activities have consistently introduced a wide array of chemical residues into natural environments, especially soil and water systems. Legacy contaminants—such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals—are recognized for their ability to persist in ecosystems for extended periods, accumulate in food chains, and travel long distances, often posing long-term environmental and health risks even decades after regulatory interventions. In contrast, emerging pollutants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nanoplastics, microplastics, and endocrine-disrupting compounds, are increasingly detected due to recent advances in analytical techniques and reflect the ongoing evolution of anthropogenic chemical usage. Mounting evidence highlights the complex interactions these pollutants have with soil and water matrices, but considerable uncertainties remain around their long-term ecological impacts, distribution patterns, and cumulative risks. Recent studies emphasize the necessity for integrated approaches to assess not only chemical persistence but also biological effects, while the economic costs and societal implications remain understudied. Despite significant advances, critical gaps remain in our understanding of the mechanisms governing contaminant transport, transformation, and their effects on environmental and human health, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive interdisciplinary research.This Research Topic aims to advance knowledge on the dynamic behavior, interactions, and impacts of both legacy and emerging contaminants in soil and water environments. Central objectives include elucidating how these substances interact with biotic and abiotic components, defining their pathways and fate in complex ecosystems, and assessing their implications for environmental quality, productivity, and public health. The topic also seeks to foster methodological innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, ultimately informing effective mitigation and policy strategies.The boundaries of this Research Topic encompass studies exploring interactions between legacy or emerging contaminants and soil, water, or sediment constituents, with a focus on their environmental and economic consequences. Research integrating ecological, chemical, economic, and policy perspectives is especially encouraged. To gather further insights into these multidisciplinary themes, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following:o Environmental and economic consequences of using wastewater (with or without advanced treatment) for irrigating cropso Impact of pollutants on soil microbiota, biota, and overall soil ecosystem healtho Effects of legacy and emerging contaminants on aquatic microbiota and water ecosystem functionalityo Influence of contaminants on water resource productivity and ecosystem serviceso Assessment of costs and benefits related to pollution prevention and remediation strategieso Fate, transport, and transformation mechanisms of pollutants in terrestrial and aquatic systemso Methodological advances in detection, monitoring, and risk assessment of contaminantsArticles exploring multidisciplinary solutions, socioeconomic evaluations, and the policy implications of pollution in environmental systems are strongly encouraged.Appendix: Acceptable article types include original research, reviews, methodological papers, policy analyses, and interdisciplinary case studies. Topic editors: Luisa María Flores Vélez, Christina Siebe, Karen H. Johannesson Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78675/multidisciplinary-insights-into-legacy-and-emerging-contaminant-dynamics-in-soil-water-systems