Research Progress and Challenges on Persistent Organic Pollutants in Lakes

Lakes are the main reservoirs of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from land, atmosphere and rivers. POPs in lakes undergo complex exchange, transformation, and degradation between water-air-sediment-biota interfaces, which are constrained and regulated by various physical, chemical and biological factors. POPs can affect ecological conditions, chemical properties of water and sediments, and biodiversity of the lake system. Therefore, it is important to study the sources, migration, transformation, environmental behavior and ecological impacts of POPs in lake ecosystems. This review summarizes research progress on detection technologies, diversity and origins, historical records, migration and transformation, distribution patterns, degradation and toxic effects of POPs in lakes. Finally, future directions related to POPs in lakes were summarized.