Impact Assessment and Sustainable Remediation of Heavy Metal and Radioactive Contamination in Aquatic Systems: A Review

Heavy metals and radioactive contamination constitute a significant and urgent environmental issue that necessitates efficient, sustainable repair. Both biotic and abiotic environmental components are affected worldwide by these dual pollutants. Although proposed sustainable remediation technologies could potentially serve as remedies, their relative efficacy remains uncertain. This review addresses the significant knowledge gap in assessment and sustainable remediation, as it typically examines these dual pollutants separately. The pathways of hazardous HMs such as Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and radionuclides, including Cs-137, Sr-90, and U-238, are evaluated in relation to ecological, genetic, and human health effects. Their diverse situations are contrasted across several regions, including Ramgarh (India), Qarun Lake (Egypt), Shimabara (Japan), and Zaria (Nigeria). The innovative contribution consists of a decision-support framework that amalgamates GIS-based hotspot mapping (IDW, kriging) with multivariate statistics (PCA, CA, HCA, and SOM) and water quality indices, facilitating the early identification of pollutants. Recent evidence indicates that co-exposure to heavy metals and radionuclides causes toxicity, increasing cumulative ecological and human health risks. Our findings indicate that remedial methods are assessed not only by their removal efficiency but also by their technology readiness level and sustainability, encompassing adsorption, ion exchange, nanomaterial-assisted processes, advanced oxidation, and vitrification. Aligning these aims establishes a transdisciplinary roadmap that integrates pollutant monitoring, public health protection, and circular-economy remediation. This comprehensive framework redefines water quality evaluation in regions affected by mining and agriculture, establishing a foundation for future climate-resilient research and policy initiatives.