The scientific community is witnessing a significant milestone with the launch of New Contaminants, a groundbreaking multidisciplinary open-access journal devoted to the exploration of emerging contaminants in the environment. This innovative platform, published by Maxapress, serves as a global nexus for researchers, policy makers, and environmental engineers to exchange high-impact research findings focused on the identification, behavior, risk assessment, and management of novel pollutants increasingly detected in ecosystems worldwide. The journal’s establishment addresses a crucial need for consolidated scientific dialogue as anthropogenic activities introduce complex chemical burdens into natural systems, often beyond the detection and remediation capabilities of existing methodologies.
Emerging contaminants, spanning a broad spectrum of chemical and biological agents, pose urgent challenges for public health and environmental sustainability. These substances include micro- and nano-plastics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and a diversity of pathogenic organisms. Each class exhibits unique environmental behaviors, ranging from persistence and bioaccumulation to trophic transfer and ecological disruption. The new journal commits to publishing cutting-edge research that elucidates the molecular transformations, transport mechanisms, and fate of these contaminants under varying environmental conditions, thereby enhancing scientific understanding and facilitating more effective intervention strategies.
Of particular importance is the journal’s focus on novel analytical and identification technologies capable of detecting contaminants at trace levels. Advances in chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry, biosensors, and molecular techniques are revolutionizing contaminant surveillance. New Contaminants aims to spotlight these methodologies, emphasizing their application in real-world environmental matrices such as soil, water, air, and biota. Detailed studies dissecting the physico-chemical properties influencing contaminant mobility and bioavailability are central to building predictive models and designing targeted remediation protocols.
Risk assessment stands at the core of contaminant science, given the complexities involved in accurately predicting ecological and human health outcomes. The journal will host comprehensive evaluations of toxicological data, integrating in vivo and in vitro findings with computational modeling approaches. Contributions that highlight synergistic and antagonistic effects within contaminant mixtures, including their potential to exacerbate resistance in microbial communities, are particularly encouraged. Additionally, the multidisciplinary approach embraces the socio-economic dimensions of contaminant exposure, illuminating policy implications and risk communication strategies to inform stakeholders and the broader public.
Environmental remediation technologies featured in New Contaminants range from physical removal approaches to advanced chemical transformations and biologically-driven processes. Cutting-edge innovations include nanomaterial-based adsorbents, photocatalytic degradation systems, and engineered microbial consortia capable of biodegrading persistent pollutants. These strategies are evaluated not only for efficacy but also for sustainability and potential secondary environmental impacts. The journal advocates for integrated remediation frameworks that mitigate contamination while preserving or restoring ecosystem functionality.
A distinct element of contemporary contaminant research featured in the journal is the exploration of predictive modeling and informatics tools. Machine learning algorithms and big data analytics are increasingly leveraged to forecast contaminant spread and identify hotspots with limited monitoring data. These computational models enable proactive mitigation and resource optimization, particularly in urban and industrial landscapes. The journal fosters dialogue on the enhancement, validation, and standardization of these modeling approaches, which are essential for regulatory acceptance and practical implementation.
Policy and governance frameworks constitute another vital theme within New Contaminants. The journal serves as a forum for critical analysis of existing regulatory mechanisms and for proposing novel policies that address the rapid emergence of previously unknown contaminants. This includes globally coordinated actions, harmonization of contaminant standards, and incentive-based mechanisms to promote sustainable industrial practices. By bridging science and policy, the journal empowers decision-makers to enact informed and timely regulations that safeguard environmental and human health.
The journal’s commitment to open access ensures that scientific advancements reach a worldwide audience unrestricted by financial barriers, fostering international collaboration and knowledge dissemination. In support of this vision, Maxapress is offering a limited-time waiver of article processing charges from 2025 to 2027, accelerating the development and sharing of pioneering research during this critical launch phase. This strategic initiative lowers submission thresholds, inviting a diverse array of contributions from emerging and established researchers alike.
New Contaminants is especially poised to inspire cross-sector partnerships among academia, government agencies, industry, and non-governmental organizations. By uniting these spheres, the journal facilitates the translation of scientific insights into actionable solutions. It embraces interdisciplinary submissions that integrate environmental science with engineering, toxicology, epidemiology, public health, and social sciences, reflecting the multifaceted nature of emerging contaminant challenges.
The inaugural editorial underscores prevailing knowledge gaps that persist in contaminant research. Despite advancements, many contaminants lack comprehensive toxicological profiles, and long-term ecological effects remain poorly understood. The editorial calls for intensified research efforts into the transformation products of contaminants, chronic exposure assessment, and the uncovering of novel and cryptic contaminants that may evade current detection technologies. Bridging these gaps is critical to future-proofing environmental management in the face of evolving industrial and societal activities.
Remediation strategies outlined in the journal also emphasize the importance of adaptive management, incorporation of real-time monitoring data, and the development of robust risk-based frameworks. These approaches ensure the dynamic and context-specific nature of contamination is addressed effectively. Additionally, the role of circular economy concepts and sustainable material design is highlighted to minimize contaminant generation at the source, thus integrating prevention with remediation.
Ultimately, the launch of New Contaminants arrives at a pivotal juncture, coinciding with increasing global awareness of environmental degradation and human health threats linked to chemical pollution. This platform promises to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and catalyze transformative solutions that are urgently needed to tackle emerging contaminants comprehensively. Researchers, practitioners, and policy innovators are invited to engage with this vibrant community by submitting their work and participating in shaping the future landscape of contaminant science.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: New Contaminants: Existence and Knowledge Gaps
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.48130/newcontam-0025-0003
Image Credits: Fengchang Wu, Brett Robinson, Yanzheng Gao & Fei Dang
Keywords: Environmental issues; Human health; Environmental remediation
