Environmental aquatic chemistry in the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences: Efforts for cleaner water

Water research investigates the composition, dynamics, and interactions of aquatic systems under natural and anthropogenic influences, providing a scientific foundation for water resource utilization, pollution control, and sustainable management. This review highlights the pivotal contributions of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences, to advancing water science. Over decades, RCEES has spearheaded innovative research in water quality assessment, pollution remediation, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. Breakthroughs have been achieved in key areas, including the identification and transformation of emerging contaminants, development of advanced water treatment technologies, and risk assessment of waterborne pollutants. Recent research has expanded into cutting-edge topics such as the ecological impacts of emerging contaminants in aquatic environments, and climate-resilient water management strategies. The Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry at RCEES has made significant contributions to both national and international water issues. Moving forward, RCEES is driving innovations in AI-associated water systems, nature-based solutions for water purification, and climate resilient water resource management. By bridging fundamental research with policy-driven applications, RCEES continues to shape the future of water science, contributing to both scientific progress and sustainable water governance in China and beyond.