Green analytical chemistry methods for ecotoxicological studies: Challenges and recommendations

Abstract

Pollution from industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical activities poses significant challenges to ecosystems worldwide. While environmental monitoring and ecotoxicological assessments are essential, traditional analytical and toxicity testing methods often rely on large amounts of chemicals, generate waste, and involve animal testing, raising concerns about the environmental footprint of research itself. The Virtual Special Issue (VSI) “Green analytical chemistry methods for ecotoxicological studies: challenges and recommendations”, published in Green Analytical Chemistry, received six contributions from India, Italy, Serbia, and South Africa, highlighting sustainable alternatives in ecotoxicological research. The studies addressed critical topics such as reusing spent adsorbents in wastewater treatment, promoting ethical alternatives to animal testing, improving risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and pesticides, and advancing microplastic detection. Reviews and case studies also explored computational toxicology, high-throughput testing, and multi-biomarker approaches to evaluate nanoparticle toxicity in aquatic organisms. Together, these contributions demonstrate the growing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of analytical practices. Future directions for green ecotoxicology include standardizing methods, incorporating life cycle assessments of analytical procedures, and leveraging computational tools and omics technologies. Cross-disciplinary collaboration will be essential to address emerging contaminants and ensure more sustainable, ethical, and effective environmental monitoring and risk assessment strategies.