Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts
Heavy metal contamination in marine ecosystems poses a critical environmental challenge, with significant implications for biodiversity, trophic dynamics, and human health. Marine fish are key bioindicators of heavy metal pollution because of their role in food webs and their capacity for bioaccumul...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Xenobiotics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/15/2/59 |
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| author | Andra Oros |
| author_facet | Andra Oros |
| author_sort | Andra Oros |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Heavy metal contamination in marine ecosystems poses a critical environmental challenge, with significant implications for biodiversity, trophic dynamics, and human health. Marine fish are key bioindicators of heavy metal pollution because of their role in food webs and their capacity for bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathways and mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation in marine fish, focusing on factors that influence the uptake, retention, and tissue distribution. We explore the processes governing trophic transfer and biomagnification, highlighting species-specific accumulation patterns and the risks posed to apex predators, including humans. Additionally, we assess the ecological consequences of heavy metal contamination at population, community, and ecosystem levels, emphasizing its effects on fish reproduction, community structure, and trophic interactions. By integrating recent findings, this review highlights key knowledge gaps and suggests future research directions to improve environmental monitoring and risk assessment. Given the persistence and bioavailability of heavy metals in marine environments, effective pollution control strategies and sustainable fisheries management are imperative to mitigate long-term ecological and public health risks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ed15e03478a4d0ab1bd6742ba0ddf71 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2039-4705 2039-4713 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Xenobiotics |
| spelling | doaj-art-3ed15e03478a4d0ab1bd6742ba0ddf712025-08-20T02:28:15ZengMDPI AGJournal of Xenobiotics2039-47052039-47132025-04-011525910.3390/jox15020059Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level ImpactsAndra Oros0Chemical Oceanography and Marine Pollution Department, National Institute for Marine Research and Development (NIMRD) “Grigore Antipa”, 300 Mamaia Blvd., 900581 Constanta, RomaniaHeavy metal contamination in marine ecosystems poses a critical environmental challenge, with significant implications for biodiversity, trophic dynamics, and human health. Marine fish are key bioindicators of heavy metal pollution because of their role in food webs and their capacity for bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the pathways and mechanisms of heavy metal accumulation in marine fish, focusing on factors that influence the uptake, retention, and tissue distribution. We explore the processes governing trophic transfer and biomagnification, highlighting species-specific accumulation patterns and the risks posed to apex predators, including humans. Additionally, we assess the ecological consequences of heavy metal contamination at population, community, and ecosystem levels, emphasizing its effects on fish reproduction, community structure, and trophic interactions. By integrating recent findings, this review highlights key knowledge gaps and suggests future research directions to improve environmental monitoring and risk assessment. Given the persistence and bioavailability of heavy metals in marine environments, effective pollution control strategies and sustainable fisheries management are imperative to mitigate long-term ecological and public health risks.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/15/2/59heavy metalsmarine fishbioaccumulationtrophic transferecotoxicology |
| spellingShingle | Andra Oros Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts Journal of Xenobiotics heavy metals marine fish bioaccumulation trophic transfer ecotoxicology |
| title | Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts |
| title_full | Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts |
| title_fullStr | Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts |
| title_short | Bioaccumulation and Trophic Transfer of Heavy Metals in Marine Fish: Ecological and Ecosystem-Level Impacts |
| title_sort | bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of heavy metals in marine fish ecological and ecosystem level impacts |
| topic | heavy metals marine fish bioaccumulation trophic transfer ecotoxicology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/15/2/59 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andraoros bioaccumulationandtrophictransferofheavymetalsinmarinefishecologicalandecosystemlevelimpacts |