Chemical Contaminants in Coastal Hydrogeology: Environmental Impacts, Health Risks and Sustainable Solutions

This volume addresses the growing global challenge of managing chemical and emerging contaminants (ECs) within coastal environments. Coastal regions, which serve as critical hubs for biodiversity, human habitation, and economic activities, are increasingly under threat from pollutants such as microplastics, persistent mobile and toxic chemicals (PMTs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, personal care products, heavy metals, and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These contaminants pose a severe risk not only to marine ecosystems but also to human health, food security, and the sustainability of local economies. The book is designed to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to understanding the complex nature of emerging contaminants in coastal hydrogeology. It explores how these contaminants enter coastal systems, their transport through surface and groundwater, and their persistence in marine sediments and ecosystems. By focusing on pollutant interactions across environmental matrices – water, sediment, and biota – the book offers a holistic view of how contaminants spread, accumulate, and affect coastal areas, with particular emphasis on the risks posed to human health, marine species, and ecosystem services. The book further highlights cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions for mitigating the impacts of these contaminants. Key innovations such as bioremediation, nanomaterials for contaminant removal, and AI-driven data analytics for environmental monitoring are explored in-depth. By addressing the latest developments in treatment technologies, this book aims to equip researchers, environmental managers, and policymakers with practical tools for combating the adverse effects of ECs on coastal systems. Furthermore, it discusses the need for low-cost, scalable technologies that can be implemented in resource-constrained regions where coastal communities are often most vulnerable. A critical component of the book is its focus on policy and governance. It reviews existing international, regional, and local regulatory frameworks for managing emerging contaminants, providing insights into how policies can be adapted or developed to strengthen coastal environmental protection. The book also explores the alignment of these frameworks with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to clean water (SDG 6), health (SDG 3), and life below water (SDG 14).