Exposome, Biomonitoring, Assessment and Data Analytics to Quantify Universal Water Quality

The objective of this chapter is to evaluate assessment methodology of one of the most basic parameters of water, termed as water quality, also defined as Water Quality Index, in view of recent technological advancements. The chapter focusses on drinking water only, however various other applications, such as in agriculture, transportation and industries, viz. pharmaceuticals, power generation, hydrocarbon, catalysis, chemical processing, mining, hydrometallurgy, and semiconductor processing can benefit from a similar approach. The quality of water varies from region to region and is highly dependent on regional water stressors and available water purification methods. Despite of recent advances in water filtration mechanisms, new and emerging contaminants and local water stressors, are not filtered effectively. Conventional methods use commercial-off the shelf systems and broad-spectrum analytical instruments with interpretive algorithms to sense/detect and characterize contaminants. Since contaminants differ greatly in chemical structure and chromatographic/spectroscopic behavior, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to apply generic methods to interrogate most contaminants in real-time. Several regulations have been implemented to control the use of several chemicals that are toxic to human health. We provide an assessment strategy and Internet of Things based sensor platform, combined with geolocation capability, as Smart and Connected Systems approach for interconnectivity. We introduce a Universal Water Quality index, which is based on an algorithmic determination based on a series of contaminants that may be present in quantities significantly less than the acceptable quantities. The methodology presented here is likely to provide Universal Water Quality Index, in compliance with policy frameworks for chemicals that remain in processed water after a series of efficient contamination mitigation strategies, leading to enhanced water quality for better quality of life and better living standards. We provide an overview of new materials and technologies with unforeseen capabilities to sense/detect multiple exposome in label-free and highly multiplexed format, with ppb/ppt sensitivity, high selectivity and specificity, all with streaming data analytics in real-time. Additionally, there are multiple approaches to analyze solutions for regional sustainable development and the one most frequently employed approach is factor analysis for the regional industrial sector as well as approaches based on the monitoring of core determinants of economic growth rates for sustainable development. These approaches are influenced by numerous parameters, which need to be analyzed, systematized, and processed before they are used to create plans of development. Factor analysis approach, consistent with millennium development goals of the United Nations Development Program, was conducted and methodology and conclusion are described.