Sources, presence and potential effects of contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environments of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, Australia

A comprehensive review identifies significant gaps in monitoring and understanding of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Torres Strait, Australia. The study highlights that current management primarily addresses sediment, nutrients, and pesticides, while CECs—such as antifouling paints, coal dust, heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum hydrocarbons—pose growing risks due to increasing agricultural, urban, and industrial activities. The research underscores the urgent need for integrated databases and targeted monitoring programs to assess ecological risks, emphasizing predictive methods for risk prioritization. Spatial mapping of CEC sources is recommended to inform future risk assessments, ensuring a more holistic approach to marine conservation in these critical ecosystems.

Kroon, F. J., Berry, K. L. E., Brinkman, D. L., Kookana, R., Leusch, F. D. L., Melvin, S. D., Neale, P. A., Negri, A. P., Puotinen, M., Tsang, J. J., van de Merwe, J. P., & Williams, M. (2020). Sources, presence and potential effects of contaminants of emerging concern in the marine environments of the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 719, 135140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135140