In this paper, a concise review of the literature on the effects of beryllium (Be) on aquatic animals, as well as the effect of uptake of Be on the growth of some of the aquatic organisms and plants is compiled when studies are performed in water-based nutrient solutions containing Be. After referring to various important international reports published by different agencies such as the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Environmental Protection Agency, and World Health Organization (WHO), as well as other literature papers available on the topic over last (70–80) years, a compilation of different studies on the effect of toxicity of Be on aquatic animals, organisms, and some plants is reported. Furthermore, information on different limits/levels for the protection of marine and aquatic organisms, as recommended by various international agencies, is included. Based on the studies available in the literature, the reasons behind the establishment of discharge criteria for Be-based effluents are included in the paper. Information on the limits of Be in drinking water, as recommended by various international agencies, are also reported. It is hoped that the compiled information will provide comprehensive details about the effects of Be toxicity on plants, aquatic organisms, etc., and will be useful to researchers worldwide in understanding the toxicology of Be as well as in understanding the reasons behind the selection of 0.10 ppm as the discharge criteria for Be-based effluents adopted previously by countries such as USA, UK, and India. Based on the literature information, it has been argued that the discharge criteria of 0.10 ppm for Be-based waste effluents adopted almost 60 years earlier is still adequate and relevant as adverse effects of Be on aquatic animals, plants, etc., are reported to be at Be concentrations >0.10 ppm or so even for highly sensitive organisms. Be enters the environment mainly through industrial pollution; waste management of Be contaminants is a challenge. The present review also includes the recently reported information on the effective management of Be prevalent in liquid/aqueous media and various studies on behavior of Be in soils, techniques for sorption, and related chemical and physical processes associated.
