Global Research Trends on Water Contamination by Microorganisms: A Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Microbiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Water quality is critical for life, but microbiological contamination poses a significant global threat.
• Bibliometric analysis is crucial for understanding research trends and identifying key areas in water quality studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of global scientific production on microbiological water contamination.
• To identify publication trends, key journals, institutions, and research focuses in this field.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed on the Web of Science™ core collection.
• Bibliometric analysis of 2000 articles was conducted using the Bibliometrix package in R and Biblioshiny.

Main Results:

• Publication peaked in 2022, with *Water Research* as the leading journal.
• China led in author contributions, and the Egyptian Knowledge Bank was the most productive institution.
• Research emphasizes ecological/biotechnological contaminant removal and pathogen inactivation methods.

Conclusions:

• There is a growing interest in eco-friendly and biotechnological approaches for water decontamination.
• Artificial intelligence and real-time monitoring are emerging as key strategies for water quality management.
• This research underscores the importance of addressing microbiological water contamination for public health.