Occurrence, fate, transport, and removal technologies of emerging contaminants: A review on recent advances and future perspectives

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are a category of relatively newly identified chemicals lacking regulatory status and generally of synthetic origin. ECs encompass a range of substances, including pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, antidiabetics, pesticides, personal care products (PCPs), and endocrine‐disrupting chemicals. ECs are frequently found in surface water, groundwater, and wastewater. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are often identified as sources of these chemicals. ECs enter wastewater through improper disposal or usage of consumer goods, agricultural runoff, toxic spillage, and prescription drug excretion in urine and feces, as the human body metabolizes a fraction of administered drugs. The presence of ECs in aquatic environments poses a significant threat, as they can potentially harm both the ecosystem and humans, even at low concentrations. For a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of ECs, it is essential for researchers to investigate the occurrence, sources, fate, and transport of these substances in wastewater. This review investigates the origins and ultimate fate of these ECs, examining their interactions with the surrounding aquatic environments. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics and behaviors of ECs through an in‐depth analysis. This review discusses treatment techniques and processes and examines potential pathways for future advancement.