Hazardous Pollutants in Marine Ecosystems

Dear Colleagues,

Hazardous pollutants in marine ecosystems pose significant threats to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human health. These pollutants originate from various anthropogenic sources, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition, and plastic waste. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most concerning contaminants due to their bioaccumulation and toxic properties. Once introduced into the marine environment, these pollutants can undergo long-range transport, sedimentation, and trophic transfer, ultimately affecting organisms at multiple levels of the food web. For example, mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal, can be transformed into methylmercury via microbial processes, leading to bioaccumulation in fish and posing risks to top predators, including humans. Similarly, PAHs, derived from petroleum spills and incomplete combustion processes, can induce genotoxicity and endocrine disruption in marine organisms. Emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are also increasingly being detected in marine waters, raising concerns about their sub-lethal effects on aquatic species. Additionally, eutrophication, which is driven by excessive nutrient inputs from agriculture and wastewater, exacerbates the formation of hypoxic zones, leading to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Nanomaterials, which are a growing category of contaminants, have also gained attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and potential ecological risks. Engineered nanomaterials, such as metal-based nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes, enter marine environments through wastewater effluents and industrial activities. These materials can interact with biological membranes, induce oxidative stress, and affect key physiological functions in marine organisms. Their small size and high surface reactivity enable them to adsorb other pollutants, altering their bioavailability and toxicity. Effective policy measures, such as stringent regulations on pollutant emissions, improved wastewater treatment, and the promotion of circular economy principles, are essential for reducing contamination levels in marine ecosystems. Future research should prioritize assessing cumulative risks, developing advanced monitoring techniques, and exploring nature-based solutions to enhance the resilience of marine biodiversity against environmental pollutants.

We invite original research articles, reviews, and case studies that address topics including, but not limited to, the following:

• Ecotoxicology;
• Nanomaterials;
• Bioaccumulation;
• Biotransformation;
• Biomonitoring;
• POPs.

We look forward to your submissions and to advancing the scientific discourse on this critical topic.

Dr. Maria Luisa Vannuccini
Dr. Inmaculada Varó
Guest Editors

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• ecotoxicology
• nanomaterials
• bioaccumulation
• biotransformation
• biomonitoring
• POPs
• PAHs