Potential Effects of Persistent Organic Contaminants on Marine Biota: A Review on Recent Research

Abstract

Synthetic organic compounds belonging to different chemical classes and possessing diverse physicochemical properties are frequently present in marine environments. Microplastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are contained in the list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have been detected in the global marine system. Numerous ecotoxicological studies have revealed the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic toxicants on marine biota. The present review presents the research that has been conducted during the period from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2021 concerning the lethal and sub-lethal impacts of selected organic-synthetic stressors on different plant and animal marine species, and summarizes the observed or predicted individual and combined effects after exposure to chemical mixtures of such contaminants. Future research needs dependent on the knowledge gaps that remain in the bibliography are also highlighted.