Ecotoxicity
Ecotoxicity, the subject of study in the field of ecotoxicology (a portmanteau of ecology and toxicology), refers to the biological, chemical or physical stressors that affect ecosystems.
Ecotoxicology has been defined as a branch of toxicology that focuses on the study of toxic effects, caused by natural or synthetic pollutants.
[1] In Barrie Peake's paper, Impact of Pharmaceuticals on the Environment, ecotoxicity is defined based on the level of exposure to hazardous substances.
While chronic ecotoxicity is less likely to be lethal, it reduces cellular biochemical functions, which can lead to changes in the organism's psychological or behavioral responses to environmental stimuli (Peake, 2016).
Due to the increased number of decomposers that use more oxygen, fish and shrimp at the lower layers of the ocean become oxygen-starved, resulting in the creation of hypoxic zones.
Many researchers are concerned that their widespread use in everyday household disinfectants and cosmetics are contributing to antibiotic resistant bacteria, thus limiting microbial infection treatment options.
[citation needed] Trisodium nitrilotriacetate is found in bathroom cleaners and possibly some laundry detergents, although they are more actively used in industrial formulations.
Effects of climbazole on oats and turnip included stunted growth of the leaves and shoot, as well as turning darker in color.
[4] These chemicals, known as endocrine disruptors, reach aquatic environments through the manufacturing of industrial and consumer products, agriculture, food and drug processing, wastewater treatment plants, and human waste.
Phthalate esters, common additives that soften and make PVC more flexible, are found in many everyday items such as medical devices, packaging for fragrances and cosmetics, ropes, varnishes, plastic food wraps, and shower curtains.
[5] Both phthalates and BPA affect reproduction in animals, including mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, and fish, primarily by disrupting hormone systems.
Studies have shown that bioaccumulation of DEP occurs in the tissues of fish, such as the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), including the testis, liver, brain, gills, and muscle.
In countries that practice sewage-fed fisheries, where wastewater is used to culture fish, endocrine disruption and the presence of phthalate residues are highly likely.
Pesticides are released into the natural environment intentionally by people who are often unaware that these chemicals will travel further than anticipated, Hatakeyama et al. as cited in.
In some areas, such as the Amazon, oil is even used to suppress dust on roadways, causing contaminated runoff to enter nearby water bodies.
During oil exploration, the mud produced from drilling is often dumped into pits that are frequently unlined, which increases the risk of contaminants leaking into the environment.
A key environmental concern involves polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which "accumulate on particles and sediments, shielding them from biodegradation," according to Green and Trett.
Water from Site B, a drinking pond located 100 meters from an active oil pit, had the highest concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH).
A study cited by Sebastian et al. reported higher cancer rates in a village in this region, along with widespread illness among people consuming the contaminated water.
[7] Further research by Wernersson explored the toxicity of water and sediment samples on two aquatic species, Daphnia magna (a crustacean zooplankton) and Hyalella azteca (an amphipod).
According to the National Library of Medicine; “Current estimates project that every year, a combined load of millions of tons of potentially toxic chemicals enters the environment from a broad range of industrial and domestic processes.” (Fantke, 2020).
Animals, plants, and water surfaces can also be exposed from airborne chemical emissions caused from cities, factories, and fires (Fantke, 2020).
This can result in a wide variety of consequences, including but not limited to: the extinction of environmentally sensitive species, alterations to local food webs, physiological and genetic changes, and changes in reproduction, growth, and behavior (Fantke, 2020).
