Marine Pollution and its Ecological Impacts on Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Marine ecosystems have among the most complex and productive communities in the world, yet continue to be overwhelmed by ever-increasing types of pollution. This study investigated the marine ecological effects of the presence of the aforementioned chemical pollutants (heavy metals, microplastics, nutrient loading) on biodiversity and the delivery of ecosystem services at four coastal sites on the southeastern coast of India: Marina Beach, Ennore Creek, Pulicat Lagoon, and Kovalam Coast. Water quality parameters, benthic community structure, fish biomass, and scores for the different ecosystem services were measured over a period of 12 months. Reported that the site under greatest threat (Ennore Creek-industrially stressed estuary) saw a decrease in species diversity (H' -Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index) to 1.18, oxygen levels fall to 3.2 mg/L and cadmium levels 14-fold higher than WHO standards, provisioning and regulating services fall to between 60-72% that of the most resilient site (Kovalam Coast), and microplastic density from 98 particles/m to 389 particles/m at Kovalam and Ennore Creek respectively. A statistically significant negative correlation (r=0.87; p<0.01) was found between pollutant index and diversity indices, with coastal lagoons and estuaries being disproportionately affected by cumulative pollutants. This study highlighted the need for a marine pollution monitoring framework, marine protected area enhancement, and a blue circular economy to regain the functions of provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services for coastal dwellers.