Contaminations of emerging concern

Question 1

CECs

Answer 1

chemicals ond other substances
no regulatory standards and currently not monitored
deteceted because of new tools of analytical chemistry but have been in present in the environment far longer
concern emerging, not the substance
indication: hormones, but no accute effects, rather long-term suble chronical effects

Question 2

Classified into

Answer 2

Organic trace pollutants
antibiotic resistance
microplastics
engineered nanoplastics

Question 3

Tier 1: Point Source Information

Answer 3

Uses readily available statistical data
Based on that the precsence of point sources can be concluded
For all relevant hazardous substances, thie tier is mandatory

Question 4

Tier 2: Riverine Load Approach

Answer 4

Basen on conc and discharge data in rivers (Both water and suspended solids)
Allows allocation of observed loads to point and diffuse sourse
High conc, increasing trends … –> tier 3 and 4

Question 5

Tier 3: Pathway oriented approach

Answer 5

Uses information about land use, hydrology and asic transport processes
Allows identification of main sources and hotsopts of emission
For substances following ubiquitous emission patters –> Tier 4

Question 6

Tier 4: The source oriented approach

Answer 6

Based on substance specific information on production, ales and consumption
draws comprehensive picture of life cycle
Informtion precise enough to not only implement end-of-pipe solutions

Question 7

Organic trece/mirco pollutants

Answer 7

Substance that potentially) can affect the environment in a negative way, even at very low concentrations
biocides, pesticides, personal care products, endocrine disrupting chemicals, …

constantly introduced and cause chronic effects

exact effects are determined through chemical analysis and vivo assays and a combination of those two

Question 8

Antibiotic resistance ABR

Answer 8

inhibitationg or regulation the enzymes in the cell wall
in multiplying cells
bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics
naturally, through genetic mutation or one species aquiring it from another
–> One Health Approach, requiring a holistsc and multisectoral approch to the matter, cause resistances arising in humans/animals/environment can spread into the other sectors

Question 9

Micro Plastics

Answer 9

Primary microplastics: smaller than 5mm, have this size because of their purpose, for example mi-
crobeads in personal care products such as facial cleaners

Secondary microplastics: microscopic plastic pieces made from weathering, usually happens be-
cause of UV exposure

respiratory and digestive tracks
can adsorb and release toxic substances depending on the type of plastic

Question 10

Engineered Nanoplastics (E-NP)

Answer 10

Metals
Metal Oxides
Quantum Dots
Fullerenes
Carbon Nanotubes
Carbon Nanofibres
Carbon Nanofoams

Bioperistand in their lungs (like asbestos)
brack though the blood brain barrier
alter the merpeabiliy of the cell membrane