The distribution and accumulation of toxic trace elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium in coastal seas are significantly impacted by human activities such as industry and agriculture. A new study has investigated how climate change is already affecting these elements and how they may behave in the future. Climate-related natural events are releasing more pollutants that pose risks to human and animal health, but there is still insufficient knowledge about future contaminant behavior. The ocean is warming, becoming more acidic, and losing oxygen due to climate change, which also affects contaminants in the seas.
The study focused on the effects of climate change and greenhouse gases on contaminants in the ocean, particularly metal contaminants. Rising sea levels, melting ice, and changing river flows due to climate change mobilize and increase contaminant flows into the oceans. Human activities have led to a substantial increase in toxic metal flows compared to pre-industrial levels, with elements like lead and mercury being detected at higher concentrations in coastal waters. The melting of glaciers and permafrost is also releasing more mercury from natural sources, posing a threat to communities reliant on traditional fishing.
Climate changes such as rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and oxygen depletion impact trace elements in seawater in various ways. Higher water temperatures increase the bioavailability of metals like mercury to marine organisms, while ocean acidification increases the solubility and bioavailability of copper, zinc, and iron. Oxygen depletion enhances the toxic effects of trace elements on organisms living in or on the seabed, such as mussels and crustaceans. The study highlights the double burden of pollutants and climate change on coastal regions, and the need for increased research into new and understudied contaminants.
The human contribution of heavy metals to the oceans may increase further in the future due to growing ocean exploitation. Better models and legislative adjustments are needed to improve control over the impact of contaminants in marine environments. More research is required to understand how climate change influences contaminants in the ocean and to develop standardized methods for globally comparable data. Understanding the interactions between pollutants and climate change is crucial for strengthening marine protection and developing sustainable solutions for vulnerable coastal areas. Closing knowledge gaps on this issue is essential for ecosystem and human health protection.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for more research on the interaction between contaminants and climate change in coastal marine ecosystems. It urges for better understanding, monitoring, and control of pollutants in the sea to protect both marine life and human health. Increasing human activities and natural processes affected by climate change are releasing more contaminants into the oceans, posing significant risks to coastal regions. By addressing these issues through improved research and regulatory measures, we can work towards a more sustainable and healthy marine environment.