Toxicity Evaluation in Flora and Fauna Exposed to Marine Pollution

Evaluating the toxicity in flora and fauna due to marine pollutants has attracted immense scientific, regulatory and public attention over the past years. In recent years, types and levels of contaminants in the marine environment have increased as a result of anthropogenic activities worldwide. These chemical substances are accumulated in the tissues of marine organisms and exerting harmful impacts on marine flora and fauna. Published literature on the biological effects of marine pollution revealed that the effects and distribution of marine pollutants have been increased significantly. This chapter focuses on better understanding of the toxicity evaluation of marine biota and has been divided into four main sections: (i) categories of marine pollutants affecting marine flora and fauna (ii) pollutant sources, routes of exposure and toxicological impacts on marine organisms (iii) impacts of pollutants specifically on marine flora (iv) bioassay studies at the organism level discussing marine toxicity.

Keywords: Marine Pollution, Toxicological Impacts, Plastics, Oil Spills, Bioassays, Bioaccumulation, Biomarkers.