The rapid proliferation of novel environmental pollutants—including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, nanomaterials, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—has introduced unprecedented challenges to aquatic ecosystems, both freshwater and marine. These contaminants, often undetected by conventional monitoring systems, persist in water bodies and bioaccumulate in marine organisms, leading to sublethal yet ecologically significant effects. While traditional toxicology has focused primarily on acute mortality and biochemical endpoints related to legacy pollutants, the complex, long-term impacts of emerging contaminants on behavior, physiology, and metabolic pathways in marine systems remain poorly understood. Recent studies have highlighted their capacity to disrupt endocrine functions, impair neural signaling, and alter energy allocation, which can cascade into population-level consequences such as reduced reproductive success and compromised ecosystem resilience. However, a cohesive framework linking molecular responses to broader ecological outcomes in marine environments is still lacking. This Research Topic aims to bridge this gap by integrating cross-disciplinary insights into the multi-level responses of marine species, fostering a holistic understanding of pollutant-driven ecological risks in the ocean.

The primary objective of this Research Topic is to unravel the interconnected behavioral, physiological, and metabolic adaptations of marine organisms in response to novel pollutants, with a particular emphasis on their cascading effects on marine ecosystem health. To address these challenges, we encourage the submission of studies employing the latest technologies and interdisciplinary approaches that can provide new mechanistic insights and holistic assessments. Recent advances in molecular ecotoxicology, high-throughput omics, and computational modeling have made it possible to explore these complex response networks in detail. Through this collection, we seek to bring together diverse research efforts aimed at identifying key pathways of disruption, potential biomarkers, and the broader ecological implications associated with pollutant exposure in marine environments.

We welcome submissions relevant to novel pollutants in marine animals, with a particular focus on:
• Behavioral modifications (e.g., foraging, reproduction, avoidance) in fish, invertebrates, and plankton under pollutant exposure
• Physiological adaptations (e.g., osmoregulation, immune function, oxidative stress) across different life stages
• Metabolic reprogramming (e.g., lipidomics, metabolomics) and shifts in energy allocation
• Cross-generational effects and epigenetic inheritance related to pollutant exposure
• Molecular mechanisms underlying behavioral and metabolic alterations (e.g., epigenetic changes, microbiome shifts)
• Synergistic effects of pollutants combined with climate change-related factors (e.g., warming, acidification)
• Application of advanced tools such as machine learning, CRISPR-based biosensors, or non-invasive tracking (e.g., bio-loggers) to quantify real-time biological responses in marine organisms

This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and methodological papers.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

The Behavioral, Physiological, and Metabolic Responses of Marine Organisms Exposed to Emerging Contaminants