Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
Emerging organic contaminants in groundwater: A review of sources, fate and occurrence
D J Lapworth1, N Baran, M E Stuart
1British Geological Survey, Mclean Building, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK. djla@bgs.ac.uk
Abstract:
Emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) detected in groundwater may have adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems. This paper reviews the existing occurrence data in groundwater for a range of EOCs including pharmaceutical, personal care, 'life-style' and selected industrial compounds. The main sources and pathways for organic EOCs in groundwater are reviewed, with occurrence data for EOCs in groundwater included from both targeted studies and broad reconnaissance surveys. Nanogram-microgram per litre concentrations are present in groundwater for a large range of EOCs as well as metabolites and transformation products and under certain conditions may pose a threat to freshwater bodies for decades due to relatively long groundwater residence times. In the coming decades, more of these EOCs are likely to have drinking water standards, environmental quality standards and/or groundwater threshold values defined, and therefore a better understanding of the spatial and temporal variation remains a priority.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Bioremediation
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Freshwater Microbial Ecology
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

