A systematic review of emerging pollutants: general impact on the ecosystem

Abstract

Industrialization in Nigeria has resulted in the production of diverse products by various industries engaged in the production of goods. The effluents from these industries are the most probable sources of emerging contaminants in the Nigerian environment. The occurrence of these contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in several environmental compartments has raised significant concern given the extensive array of compounds and their consistent detection across various environmental matrices. However, providing data on their occurrence is crucial and lays the groundwork for decision makers to craft mitigation strategies toward a more sustainable water policy. Hence, this study therfore aims to bring out the importance of EPs, explore their mechanisms of persistence and assess the ecological, human, and socio-economic risks associated with their presence in the environment. The discussion begins with a detailed definition of emerging pollutants and their distinguishing characteristics. Emphasizing their sources, pathways, and environmental behaviors. The focus then shifts to environmental impacts on socio-economy, wildlife, ecosystem and humanhealth.