Pollution Mechanisms and Source Apportionment of Typical Pollutants in Aquatic Environments

This Reprint presents a collection of cutting-edge research related to the pollution mechanisms and source apportionment of typical pollutants in aquatic environments. The contributions address critical challenges such as the transport of dissolved organic matter in surface water and groundwater, the source apportionment of groundwater contamination using the Positive Matrix Factorization model in rapidly urbanized regions, and the spatiotemporal distribution and removal efficiency of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants. By integrating emerging approaches-including multivariate statistical techniques, stable isotope analysis, high¿resolution mass spectrometry fingerprinting, and machine learning-this Reprint demonstrates how multi¿technique frameworks can overcome the limitations of traditional source identification methods. These advances provide new insights into the whole¿process mechanisms of pollutants, comprising "source-pathway-sink", and offer scientific support for targeted remediation, risk prevention, and ecological restoration. The Reprint serves as a valuable resource for researchers and professionals in water environment science, analytical chemistry, ecotoxicology, and environmental engineering. It also contributes to the development of more precise and forward¿looking water quality management policies, promoting a mechanism¿driven, datäenabled, and regulation¿oriented approach to solving complex water pollution challenges.