Anthropogenic pollution of aquatic ecosystems: Emerging problems with global implications

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 713; p. 136586
• Main Authors: Häder, Donat-P., Banaszak, Anastazia T., Villafañe, Virginia E., Narvarte, Maite A., González, Raúl A., Helbling, E. Walter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15-04-2020
• Subjects: Eutrophication; Heavy metal pollution; Nutrients; Oil spill; Plastic debris; Sewage discharge; Terrigenous material; Oil spill; Terrigenous material; Plastic debris; Heavy metal pollution; Nutrients; Sewage discharge; Eutrophication
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136586

Aquatic ecosystems cover over two thirds of our planet and play a pivotal role in stabilizing the global climate as well as providing a large array of services for a fast-growing human population. However, anthropogenic activities increasingly provoke deleterious impacts in aquatic ecosystems. In this paper we discuss five sources of anthropogenic pollution that affect marine and freshwater ecosystems: sewage, nutrients and terrigenous materials, crude oil, heavy metals and plastics. Using specific locations as examples, we show that land-based anthropogenic activities have repercussions in freshwater and marine environments, and we detail the direct and indirect effects that these pollutants have on a range of aquatic organisms, even when the pollutant source is distant from the sink. While the issues covered here do focus on specific locations, they exemplify emerging problems that are increasingly common around the world. All these issues are in dire need of stricter environmental policies and legislations particularly for pollution at industrial levels, as well as solutions to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic pollutants and restore the important services provided by aquatic ecosystems for future generations.
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•Corals reefs are impacted by sewage reaching the ocean through underground aquifers.•Riverine and eolic inputs of terrigenous material affect marine phytoplankton.•Crude oil spills result in mortality or sublethal damage in many marine organisms.•Patagonian coastal zones show high concentrations of heavy metals.•About 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year affecting marine life.