Abstract Water bodies, including rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal systems, face increasing pollution from various contaminants. These pollutants threaten ecosystems, human health, and reliable water supplies. This article provides an overview of major types of contaminants in aquatic environments, their sources and impacts. This article focuses on both traditional contaminants, such as nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, and organic pollutants, as well as emerging pollutants, which include pharmaceuticals, personal care products and microplastics. Agricultural runoff introduces nutrients like nitrates and phosphates, pesticides, and veterinary drugs, leading to algal blooms. Industrial discharges release heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, along with persistent organic pollutants, solvents, and chemical byproducts. Urban wastewater and landfill leachates contribute to microbial contaminants, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics. Atmospheric deposition brings airborne pollutants, such as PAHs and mercury, into water systems. Natural processes, including rock weathering, soil erosion, and geogenic trace elements, also play a part, particularly with arsenic and fluoride. The literature review outlines documented contaminant occurrences, detection challenges, and removal strategies. In the discussion, we compare the significance of point vs. non-point sources, the fate and transport of contaminants, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and emerging health risks. Finally, we conclude with proposed research gaps and management strategies, including improved treatment methods, source control, regulatory frameworks, and monitoring. This article aims to inform researchers, policymakers, and environmental managers about the state of contaminants in water systems and the need for integrated mitigation efforts.
Pauranik et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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