Emerging contaminants (ECs) and microplastics (MPs) are increasingly detected in surface waters, wastewaters, and drinking water, often as complex mixtures, transformation products, and particle-associated burdens that challenge routine monitoring. This critical review examines current analytical strategies for the detection and characterization of both molecular and particulate emerging contaminants in aquatic systems, with particular emphasis on their relevance to environmental and human health risk assessment. For molecular ECs, targeted LC–MS/MS and GC–MS and GC–MS/MS approaches are evaluated alongside high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based suspect and non-target screening, retrospective data mining, and transformation-product elucidation. For MPs, particle-resolved vibrational spectroscopy including µ-FTIR and µ-Raman is critically assessed in comparison with complementary thermal analysis methods, such as pyrolysis–GC–MS and thermal extraction–desorption GC–MS (TED–GC–MS). Particular attention is given to the influence of sampling design, matrix-adapted sample preparation, analytical confidence, and method-dependent size and polymer coverage on data quality and interstudy comparability. The review further highlights the risks of ECs in relation to exposure pathways, mixture effects, and the potential carrier role of MPs for ECs, additives, and microorganisms. Finally, key priorities are identified for next-generation monitoring frameworks, including harmonized workflows, transparent confidence reporting, and stronger integration of analytical evidence with fate, exposure, and risk assessment.

Emerging contaminants (ECs) and microplastics (MPs) are increasingly detected in surface waters, wastewaters, and drinking water, often as complex mixtures, transformation products, and particle-associated burdens that challenge routine monitoring. This critical review examines current analytical strategies for the detection and characterization of both molecular and particulate emerging contaminants in aquatic systems, with particular emphasis on their relevance to environmental and human-health risk assessment. For molecular ECs, targeted LC–MS/MS and GC–MS(/MS) approaches are evaluated alongside high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based suspect and non-target screening, retrospective data mining, and transformation-product elucidation. For MPs, particle-resolved vibrational spectroscopy (µ-FTIR and µ-Raman) is critically assessed in comparison with complementary thermal/mass-based methods such as pyrolysis–GC–MS and TED–GC–MS. Particular attention is given to the influence of sampling design, matrix-adapted sample preparation, analytical confidence, and method-dependent size and polymer coverage on data quality and interstudy comparability. The review further highlights the risks of ECs in relation to exposure pathways, mixture effects, and the role of MPs as vectors of ECs, additives, and microorganisms. Finally, key priorities are identified for next-generation monitoring frameworks, including harmonized workflows, transparent confidence reporting, and stronger integration of analytical evidence with fate, exposure, and risk assessment.

This perspective examines the interactions among microplastics (MPs), emerging contaminants (ECs), climate change, and extreme hydrological events. Droughts, water scarcity, heatwaves, intense rainfall, and floods can alter the occurrence, mobilisation, transport, fate, and risks of MPs and associated ECs across water, soil, and groundwater systems. The analysis focuses on the context-dependent potential of MPs to act as vectors of ECs, soil–water interactions, and the potential influence of MPs on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. When these stressors co-occur, their combined effects may be additive, synergistic, or antagonistic. Accordingly, the “perfect storm” framing is used here to describe the potential for mutually reinforcing and cascading risks rather than to imply that synergy occurs universally. An integrated perspective therefore helps anticipate worst-case scenarios and move beyond the fragmented assessment of individual stressors. This paper discusses sustainable mitigation and adaptation strategies, including advanced wastewater treatment, water reuse, climate-resilient water management, infrastructure adapted to increasing hydrological variability, climate-smart agriculture, and safer alternatives to conventional plastics and chemicals. Effective implementation combines technological innovation with monitoring, governance, policy action, and public awareness. By framing the microplastics–contaminants–water–soil–climate nexus as an interconnected sustainability challenge, this work aims to support environmental resilience and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.