Chemicals of Emerging Concern and Their Transformation Products in the Aqueous Environment

The interest in understanding the environmental relevance of transformation products (TPs) which are generated from chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) via abiotic and biotic processes has increased significantly in the recent past. Studies published so far have elucidated numerous aspects of TPs from CECs including the development of appropriate analytical methods for their identification and quantification, their formation pathways during various processes including biodegradation, chemical oxidation and photolysis, strategies to predict transformation pathways, and assessments regarding their toxicological relevance. In order to assess the relevance of TPs in the aquatic environment, appropriate and standardized analytical approaches and assessment protocols are needed to address the selection, identification and quantification of TPs, their role in natural water systems and engineered treatment processes, and their toxicological relevance.