Pollutants and Contaminants

Abstract

Marine pollution events have most often been identified by a catastrophe as opposed to rational scientific deduction. Herein I examine three instances where alterations to the marine environment may result in a loss of resources, either public health or the structure of marine ecosystems: the entry of biostimulants leading to eutrophication; the entry of artificial radionuclides; and the entry of plastics. The introduced materials are increasing in flux, have long residence times, and have known impacts upon living systems.