Umeå University's logo

Industrialization, urbanization, and modern globalization increased the amount of pollutants in aquatic bodies, lowering the water purity. Surface and pollution of groundwater occur due to emerging pollutants, which result in drinking water scarcity. Plants and aquatic life, as well as human health, are significantly impacted by water contaminants, to ensure that natural aquifers provide clean, safe water and to comprehend how water contaminants change over time and space. Therefore, water quality monitoring has grown in significance during the past few years. Traditional methods of measuring water quality parameters are being replaced by new ideas and approaches. In the current era of sensors, biosensors, optical sensors, and microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) are significant sensing methods for detecting various water quality parameters. In addition, these sensors have a fast response time, excellent selectivity, sensitivity, affordability, and ease of use. This chapter focuses on the use of nanomaterial-based optical, electronic, and electrochemical sensors for the quick identification of water contaminants, such as microorganisms, anions, heavy metals, etc. There is a need for major development in the identification of pollutants in water due to the limits of present sensing technology. The benefits of sensing technologies based on nanomaterials are emphasized. The latest developments in nanomaterial-based sensors for quick detection of water contaminants have been discussed.