Vulnerability of Coral Reefs to Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Résumé
Coral reefs are highly vulnerable to contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), posing substantial threats to their sustainability within the context of global climate change. This chapter focuses on three major classes of CECs: micro-nanoplastics (MNPs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and trace metallic elements (TMEs). It provides an overview of their occurrence in coral reefs across the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, along with their potential impacts on key organisms such as corals and fish. Drawing upon insights from both laboratory and field investigations, we assess existing research gaps and explore new prospects for effective risk management strategies. The contamination of coral reefs by these pollutants, driven by a combination of local and global anthropogenic pressures, can impair marine species at multiple biological levels. Moreover, their simultaneous presence may amplify ecological disruptions, affecting primary production and reef ecosystem functioning. Given the complexity of these interactions, additional research is required to better understand the fate, transport, and synergistic effects of these contaminants in reef environments. Such efforts are crucial to improve exposure assessments, refine conservation strategies, and develop targeted mitigation measures. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration, standardized monitoring protocols, and cooperation among research institutions to ensure the long-term resilience of coral reef ecosystems worldwide.