Chapter 13 - Future trends and challenges in relation to contaminants of emerging concern

Abstract

This book provides an overview of the current state of knowledge about the main groups of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the marine environment. The relevance of these pollutants and the interest they have aroused is manifested in the large number of studies published in the last two decades, covering different aspects, from their presence and distribution the marine environment, to their fate and ecological effects. The research conducted so far has allowed to establish the main challenges and future research needs, to advance in the environmental management of CECs and to preserve and protect more effectively the marine environment, with the aim of achieving its sustainable use. The advances made in the scientific knowledge about CECs resulted primarily from the emergence of robust and sensitive instrumentation and analytical methodologies, which have made it possible to identify and quantify this type of substances at low concentrations and in complex environmental matrices, increasing our understanding of the presence of CECs in the marine environment. Regarding their impact on marine ecosystems, one of the most relevant challenges is the need to obtain information on the long-term ecotoxicological effects of CECs and their transformation products, on the toxicity of their mixtures and on the interactions between CECs and other environmental stressors. It is also necessary to develop environmental quality criteria for marine matrices, considering the most suitable sentinel species for each group of CECs. Finally, it is urgent to investigate human exposure to CECs through the consumption of seafood and through other marine and nonmarine pathways.