Marine and Coastal Pollution: Novel Quality Assessment Strategies and Management
Mathijs Smit, Shell; Ioanna Katsiadaki, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas); Milo de Baat, University of Amsterdam; and Belen Gonzalez-Gaya, University of the Basque Country
Marine ecosystems are facing unprecedented challenges due to the intensifying impact of chemical and plastic pollution. The session “Marine and Coastal Pollution: Novel Quality Assessment Strategies and Management,” which was held at the SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting in Vienna, highlighted the urgent need to understand and mitigate these threats through interdisciplinary research and innovative environmental assessment strategies. Oceans, covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, are vital for food, energy and climate regulation. However, they are increasingly impacted by pollutants, such as microplastics, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, PFAS and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which disrupt biodiversity and food webs. The session aligned with the UN sustainability agenda, advocating for ocean stewardship and integrated environmental quality assessments. It brought together researchers from diverse disciplines to present innovative methodologies, share findings and identify knowledge gaps in marine pollution science.
A central theme of the session was the complexity of marine pollution, which pose significant risks to marine life and human health, particularly through bioaccumulation in seafood. Presentations revealed widespread contamination across global FAO zones, with hotspots in the Mediterranean, Western Pacific and Atlantic regions. The findings underscore the need for enhanced international cooperation and regulatory frameworks to address emerging pollutants.
The session also explored the role of specific habitats – such as intertidal wetlands, coral reefs and coastal lagoons – in pollutant retention and transformation. For example, research in the Scheldt estuary demonstrated how tidal restoration can influence PFAS distribution, potentially aiding in natural remediation. Similarly, studies on blue sharks in the North Atlantic revealed tissue-specific accumulation of phthalates, linking contamination levels to proximity to human activity.
Another critical issue discussed was the environmental impact of antifouling coatings used on vessel hulls. Research showed that optimizing copper release rates can maintain efficacy while minimizing ecological harm, offering a pathway toward more sustainable marine technologies. Additionally, sediment analyses in the Gulf of Mexico highlighted the lingering presence of organochlorine pesticides, emphasizing the need for targeted mitigation in agricultural regions.
Poster presentations enriched the session with diverse case studies, ranging from microplastic ingestion in commercial fish to oil spill dispersant effects and advanced toxicity assays. These contributions reinforced the importance of integrating chemical analysis with biological impact assessments to fully understand pollution dynamics.
In conclusion, the session called for a paradigm shift in marine environmental monitoring – one that embraces holistic, region-specific and cross-disciplinary approaches. By advancing detection technologies, standardizing assessment protocols and informing policy through science, the global community can better safeguard marine ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of ocean resources.
Notably, at least six sessions at the SETAC Europe 35th Annual Meeting in Vienna were dedicated to understanding and addressing the impacts of pollution and stressors on marine and coastal ecosystems. These included Marine Ecotoxicology, Combined Effects in Estuarine and Marine Environments, Offshore Energy and Chemical Emissions, Legacy and Emerging Contaminants in Oceans and Polar Regions, Marine and Coastal Pollution, and Ocean-Human Health Nexus. These sessions collectively emphasized the need for integrated monitoring, risk assessment and mitigation strategies to protect marine ecosystems in the face of growing environmental pressures. SETAC has a huge potential to mobilize the marine knowledge present within its community, and we invite everyone to join forces in raising a dedicated Marine Interest Group. If you are interest in this please reach out.
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