The Impact of Pollution on Aquatic Ecosystems

Abstract

Pollution is a major pressure on freshwater and marine ecosystems and can alter water quality, biological communities, food webs, and ecosystem functions. Nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, and untreated wastewater can enter aquatic environments through agricultural runoff, industrial activity, urban drainage, and other pathways. Pollutants may cause direct toxicity, oxygen depletion, eutrophication, habitat degradation, and bioaccumulation. This paper examines nine major dimensions of aquatic pollution, including major pollution sources, nutrient enrichment, chemical contaminants, plastics, eutrophication, biological responses, freshwater ecosystems, marine and coastal systems, and pollution control and restoration.