| Title: |
Beneath the waves: A systematic review of the threats of bioaccumulative chemical contaminants to seagrass and herbivorous megafauna |
| Authors: |
Sarah Green; David J Beale; Kimberly Finlayson; Michael Shackleton; Ewen Silvester; Jenny Stauber; Jason van de Merwe; Aleicia Holland |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
La Trobe University (Melbourne): Figshare |
| Subject Terms: |
Environmental sciences; Pollution and contamination; Contamination; Bioaccumulation; Seagrass; Marine megafauna; Environmental omics; New Approach Methods (NAMs) |
| Description: |
Coastal marine environments receive large influxes of anthropogenic contaminants from land-based sources such as metal(loid) s and emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs). These contaminants can accumulate in marine sediments, seagrass and herbivorous marine megafauna such as dugongs, manatees and green turtles. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach, we evaluated 131 publications on the bioaccumulation and effects of metal(loid)s and organic contaminants in seagrass, dugongs, manatees and green turtles. The global distribution of these publications was mapped, with concentration and effects data extracted to calculate chemical risk quotients (RQ). Metal(loid)s were the most studied contaminant class, while research on other chemicals including per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCP) were under-represented. The link between the concentration of a contaminant measured in tissue and its biological effect was often lacking. New Approach Methods (NAMs), which include in vitro assays and omics approaches, were highlighted as valuable but not widely used. The reported bioaccumulated concentrations of contaminants in the literature varied greatly, with little data on the cumulative risk of mixtures. The calculation of RQ suggest a risk to many wild populations to the adverse effects of some contaminants. This review emphasises the need for standardised methods and data sharing, which will foster a more unified and global approach to better assess the risk contaminants pose to seagrass and the megafauna they support. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
unknown |
| Relation: |
https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Beneath_the_waves_A_systematic_review_of_the_threats_of_bioaccumulative_chemical_contaminants_to_seagrass_and_herbivorous_megafauna/31807762 |
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118790 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118790; https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Beneath_the_waves_A_systematic_review_of_the_threats_of_bioaccumulative_chemical_contaminants_to_seagrass_and_herbivorous_megafauna/31807762 |
| Rights: |
CC BY 4.0 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.3E67F558 |
| Database: |
BASE |