Applications of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in environmental detection

As the human population grows, the anthropogenic impacts from various agricultural and industrial processes produce unwanted contaminants in the environment. The accurate, sensitive and rapid detection of such contaminants is vital for human health and safety. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a valuable analytical tool with wide applications in environmental contaminant monitoring. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advancements within SERS research as it applies to environmental detection, with a focus on research published or accessible from January 2021 through December 2021 including early-access publications. Our goal is to provide a wide breadth of information that can be used to provide background knowledge of the field, as well as inform and encourage further development of SERS techniques in protecting environmental quality and safety. Specifically, we highlight the characteristics of effective SERS nanosubstrates, and explore methods for the SERS detection of inorganic, organic, and biological contaminants including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, plastic particles, synthetic dyes, pesticides, viruses, bacteria and mycotoxins. We also discuss the current limitations of SERS technologies in environmental detection and propose several avenues for future investigation. We encourage researchers to fill in the identified gaps so that SERS can be implemented in a real-world environment more effectively and efficiently, ultimately providing reliable and timely data to help and make science-based strategies and policies to protect environmental safety and public health.

Automated summary

As the human population grows, anthropogenic impacts from agricultural and industrial processes result in unwanted environmental contaminants. The accurate and rapid detection of these contaminants is crucial for human health and safety. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an important analytical tool with broad applications in environmental contaminant monitoring. This review summarizes recent advancements in SERS research for environmental detection, focusing on published or accessible research from January 2021 to December 2021. The review aims to provide comprehensive information to enhance understanding of the field and promote further development of SERS techniques in safeguarding environmental quality and safety. Specifically, the review highlights the characteristics of effective SERS nanosubstrates and explores methods for detecting inorganic, organic, and biological contaminants using SERS. Limitations of current SERS technologies in environmental detection are also discussed, along with potential avenues for future investigation. The authors encourage researchers to address the identified gaps in order to implement SERS more effectively and efficiently in real-world environments, ensuring reliable and timely data for science-based strategies and policies to protect environmental safety and public health.