Climate change–contaminant interactions in marine food webs: Toward a conceptual framework

Abstract

Climate change is reshaping the way in which contaminants move through the global environment, in large part by changing the chemistry of the oceans and affecting the physiology, health, and feeding ecology of marine biota. Climate change-associated impacts on structure and function of marine food webs, with consequent changes in contaminant transport, fate, and effects, are likely to have significant repercussions to those human populations that rely on fisheries resources for food, recreation, or culture. Published studies on climate change-contaminant interactions with a focus on food web bioaccumulation were systematically reviewed to explore how climate change and ocean acidification may impact contaminant levels in marine food webs. We propose here a conceptual framework to illustrate the impacts of climate change on contaminant accumulation in marine food webs, as well as the downstream consequences for ecosystem goods and services. The potential impacts on social and economic security for coastal communities that depend on fisheries for food are discussed. Climate change-contaminant interactions may alter the bioaccumulation of two priority contaminant classes: the fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as the protein-binding methylmercury (MeHg). These interactions include phenomena deemed to be either climate change dominant (i.e., climate change leads to an increase in contaminant exposure) or contaminant dominant (i.e., contamination leads to an increase in climate change susceptibility). We illustrate the pathways of climate change-contaminant interactions using case studies in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. The important role of ecological and food web modeling to inform decision-making in managing ecological and human health risks of chemical pollutants contamination under climate change is also highlighted. Finally, we identify the need to develop integrated policies that manage the ecological and socioeconomic risk of greenhouse gases and marine pollutants.

Ocean Solutions to Address Climate Change and Its Effects on Marine Ecosystems

“…(8) Reducing pollution refers to decreasing release of anthropogenic, harmful substances. Pollution can exacerbate hypoxia and ocean acidification especially in coastal waters (Cai et al, 2011) while increasing the sensitivity of marine organisms and ecosystems to climate-related drivers (Alava et al, 2017). 9Restoring hydrological regimes (restoring hydrology) relates to the maintenance and restoration of marine hydrological conditions, primarily in coastal waters, including both the tidal and riverine delivery of water and sediments, to alleviate local changes in climate-related drivers (Howard et al, 2017).…”

Combined effects of warming and acidification on accumulation and elimination dynamics of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis

“…Increase of temperature may also promote the uptake, accumulation and metabolization of some pollutants, like metals (e.g. Ni and Cd) and radionuclides, as well as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and methylmercury (Alava et al, 2017;Banni et al, 2014;Coppola et al, 2017;Dallas et al, 2016;Múgica et al, 2015;Sokolova and Lannig, 2008).…”

Managing the risk of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections associated with oyster consumption: A review

“…Alternatively, studies performed on the safety of oysters may have been published in these regions in their local languages; consequently, they were not included in this review. The behavior of V. parahaemolyticus in oysters and its culturing environment may differ among regions depending on regional climatic conditions (Alava et al., 2017; Watts et al., 2018). Understanding these variations will allow the development of region‐specific policies, regulations, or guidelines to satisfy local needs.…”

“…Therefore, the concern of climate change affecting food safety arises because it can affect the establishment and growth of foodborne pathogens and affect interactions among hosts, pathogens, and their environment (Watts et al., 2018). Climate change may affect these food safety in various ways, such as exacerbating the presence of biological contaminants in the environment and foods (Alava, Cheung, Ross, & Sumaila, 2017; Watts et al., 2018); thus, it may increase the occurrence of foodborne diseases.…”