Topic: Groundwater Contamination Status, Effects, Prevention, Remediation Technologies

Groundwater serves as a vital resource for drinking water, agriculture, and industrial processes, yet faces significant threats from various sources. One pressing challenge is soil sealing - where impermeable materials such as asphalt and concrete cover the ground, preventing natural water infiltration, increasing runoff, and reducing groundwater recharge. This not only diminishes groundwater availability but also concentrates pollutants by bypassing soil filtration.

Regarding contamination, there is mounting concern about micropollutants and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and microplastics. These substances are increasingly detected in groundwater, despite their low concentrations. Their persistent and bioaccumulative nature poses substantial and enduring risks to human health and ecosystems. Effects can range from subtle hormone disruptions in aquatic life to more serious issues like the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Addressing soil sealing and the contamination from micropollutants and CECs is crucial for the sustainable management and future availability of this essential water resource. Implementing innovative approaches to detect, monitor, and remediate these contaminants is imperative to ensure that groundwater remains a safe and reliable water source for future generations.

We welcome submissions on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:
● Assessment and mapping of contamination hotspots;
● Effects of soil sealing on groundwater recharge processes and contamination;
● Trends in groundwater quality and emerging contaminants;
● Case studies on regional and global contamination issues;
● Impacts on human health and safety;
● Ecological consequences and biodiversity loss;
● Socio-economic implications and public awareness;
● Policies and regulations for groundwater protection;
● Sustainable land use and agricultural practices;
● Innovative treatment methods and materials;
● Advances in bioremediation and phytoremediation;
● Case studies on successful remediation projects.

10 Apr 2025