Applications and technological advances of LIBS in water quality monitoring

Water quality monitoring is essential for protecting ecological systems and public health. However, conventional analytical techniques are often constrained by complex sample pretreatment, long analysis time, and limited suitability for on-site applications. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), as a rapid and multi-element analytical technique requiring minimal sample preparation, has emerged as a promising alternative for water analysis. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in LIBS-based water quality monitoring, covering its fundamental principles, technological developments, and practical applications. Emphasis is placed on advances in elemental detection relevant to water quality, including heavy metals, nutrient-related elements, and halogen elements. Various sample pretreatment strategies, signal enhancement techniques, and spectral data processing methods are critically reviewed, with particular attention to approaches that mitigate the coffee ring effect in aqueous environments. In addition, recent developments in integrated and portable LIBS detection systems are discussed, highlighting their potential for real-time and on-site monitoring. Finally, current challenges and future research directions for improving detection sensitivity, analytical reliability, and system integration are outlined. This review aims to help readers better understand the research needs of LIBS in the field of water quality monitoring.