Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

4.11 - Navigating Marine Pollution in a Changing Climate: Emerging Contaminants, Ecosystem Impacts, and Integrated Solutions

Description

Keywords: Aquatic, Climate Change, Water Quality

As we reach the midpoint of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, this session provides a critical platform to assess progress and accelerate action toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. Marine pollution, spanning chemical mixtures, plastics, nutrient loading, and ocean acidification, intersects increasingly with climate change and biodiversity loss, posing complex challenges to ocean health and sustainability. This session will explore the evolving landscape of marine pollution, with a special focus on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and their combined effects with climate-related stressors. We will highlight cutting-edge research on pollution pathways, biological effects, and ecosystem responses across climate zones and levels of biological organization from molecular to ecosystem scale, including deep-sea environments. We invite interdisciplinary contributions that showcase innovative tools and methodologies such as effect-based methods (EBMs), New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), environmental DNA/RNA analysis, and mesocosm simulations. These approaches are transforming how we monitor, assess, and manage marine contaminants under real-world conditions. A key emphasis will be placed on multi-stressor interactions, resilience and adaptation of marine organisms, and the development of integrated, risk-based frameworks that link laboratory and field studies to policy and practice. The session will also address shifting pollution patterns driven by industrial development, offshore energy, and blue economy initiatives. By fostering collaboration among researchers, industry professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders, we aim to bridge knowledge gaps, set research priorities, and co-develop actionable strategies for marine stewardship. Join us to share insights, advance solutions, and shape the future of marine pollution science for a healthier, more resilient ocean.

Chairs

Steven Brooks Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) Norway
Marinella Farre Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research - Spanish National Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC) Spain
Ioanna Katsiadaki Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) United Kingdom
Mathijs Smit Shell Global Solutions International BV Netherlands