Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Department of Botany, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
Department of Botany, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110007, India.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2024 Sep;31(45):56428-56462. doi: 10.1007/s11356-024-34932-0. Epub 2024 Sep 13.
Surface water pollution is a critical and urgent global issue that demands immediate attention. Surface water plays a crucial role in supporting and sustaining life on the earth, but unfortunately, till now, we have less understanding of its spatial and temporal dynamics of discharge and storage variations at a global level. The contamination of surface water arises from various sources, classified into point and non-point sources. Point sources are specific, identifiable origins of pollution that release pollutants directly into water bodies through pipes or channels, allowing for easier identification and management, e.g., industrial discharges, sewage treatment plants, and landfills. However, non-point sources originate from widespread activities across expansive areas and present challenges due to its diffuse nature and multiple pathways of contamination, e.g., agricultural runoff, urban storm water runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, chlorination by-products, pharmaceutical products in surface water through different pathways threatens food quality and safety. As a result, there is an urgent need for developing and designing new tools for identifying and quantifying various environmental contaminants. In this context, chemical and biological sensors emerge as fascinating devices well-suited for various environmental applications. Numerous chemical and biological sensors, encompassing electrochemical, magnetic, microfluidic, and biosensors, have recently been invented by hydrological scientists for the detection of water pollutants. Furthermore, surface water contaminants are monitored through different sensors, proving their harmful effects on human health.
地表水的污染是一个全球性的重大且紧迫的问题，需要立即引起关注。地表水在支持和维持地球生命方面发挥着至关重要的作用，但不幸的是，直到现在，我们对其在全球层面上的排放和储存变化的时空动态仍缺乏了解。地表水的污染来自于各种来源，可分为点源和非点源。点源是指通过管道或渠道将污染物直接排放到水体中的特定、可识别的污染源，因此更容易识别和管理，例如工业排放、污水处理厂和垃圾填埋场。然而，非点源则源于广泛的、大面积的活动，由于其分散性质和多种污染途径，因此具有挑战性，例如农业径流、城市雨水径流和大气沉降。通过不同途径进入地表水的重金属、持久性有机污染物、农药、氯化副产物和药品的过度积累，威胁着食品的质量和安全。因此，迫切需要开发和设计新的工具来识别和量化各种环境污染物。在这方面，化学和生物传感器作为适合各种环境应用的迷人设备而崭露头角。最近，水文学家发明了许多化学和生物传感器，包括电化学、磁性、微流控和生物传感器，用于检测水污染。此外，通过不同的传感器监测地表水污染物，证明了它们对人类健康的有害影响。
