Contaminants of emerging concern in drinking water: Quality assessment by combining chemical and biological analysis

This study by Valbonesi et al. (2021) investigates the occurrence of selected contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in surface water and treated drinking water from three different water treatment plants (DWTPs) in Italy. The research employed a combined chemical and biological approach to assess water quality. Chemical analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify specific CECs, including bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), caffeine (CFF), and carbamazepine (CBZ). Biological analyses, specifically E-screen assays and Micronuclei tests, were conducted to evaluate the cumulative estrogenic and genotoxic potential of the water samples. The study found that CFF, NP, PFOA, BPA, and CBZ were the most frequently detected contaminants in treated water, with concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 66.33 ng/L. While treatments were generally effective in reducing BPA, CFF, and CBZ, they showed varying efficacy for NP and PFOA. Despite the presence of these CECs, the analyzed water generally met good quality criteria based on individual contaminant concentrations. The biological assays indicated no significant estrogenic or genotoxic activities, except for one sample. The authors emphasize the importance of integrated chemical and biological assessments for a comprehensive understanding of water quality, especially considering potential synergistic effects of contaminant mixtures.

This study by Valbonesi et al. (2021) investigates the occurrence of selected contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in surface water and treated drinking water from three different water treatment plants (DWTPs) in Italy. The research employed a combined chemical and biological approach to assess water quality. Chemical analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify specific CECs, including bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA), caffeine (CFF), and carbamazepine (CBZ). Biological analyses, specifically E-screen assays and Micronuclei tests, were conducted to evaluate the cumulative estrogenic and genotoxic potential of the water samples. The study found that CFF, NP, PFOA, BPA, and CBZ were the most frequently detected contaminants in treated water, with concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 66.33 ng/L. While treatments were generally effective in reducing BPA, CFF, and CBZ, they showed varying efficacy for NP and PFOA. Despite the presence of these CECs, the analyzed water generally met good quality criteria based on individual contaminant concentrations. The biological assays indicated no significant estrogenic or genotoxic activities, except for one sample. The authors emphasize the importance of integrated chemical and biological assessments for a comprehensive understanding of water quality, especially considering potential synergistic effects of contaminant mixtures. Research Background and Significance The pervasive presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in water sources has become a critical environmental and public health issue worldwide. These compounds, including endocrine disruptors, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals, often enter water bodies through variou