As the global population grows, climate change and pollution increasingly threaten ecosystems and human health. Micropollutants, including banned agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, persist in the environment and bioaccumulate organisms. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 90% of the world’s freshwater sources are contaminated with micropollutants, primarily from agriculture. In regions of intensive farming, pesticide contamination can reach 40%, posing significant risks to biodiversity and human welfare (World Health Organization, WHO). This chapter discusses the ecological and health impacts of micropollutants, particularly agrochemicals and microplastics. The widespread use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in agriculture leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and food chain disruptions (FAO in Mitigating Nitrogen Pollution, 2023). Microplastics further exacerbate these issues, affecting nutrient cycles and harming organisms (International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN). Chronic exposure to these pollutants is linked to endocrine disorders, cancer, and antimicrobial resistance, affecting millions globally through contaminated food and water (WHO). The chapter also explores the synergistic effects of multiple micropollutants, highlighting that their combined toxicity often exceeds individual impacts. Bioremediation, using microbes and plants to degrade or immobilize contaminants, offers a promising solution. As these techniques advance (European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, JRC), there is hope for mitigating micropollutant hazards. This chapter underscores the need for coordinated global efforts to address these threats, especially in agriculture.

错误:搜索内容不能为空,请输入英文关键词
错误:关键词超出字数限制,请精简
高级检索

Detailed Examination of the Adverse Effects of Micropollutants on Ecosystems and Human Health

  • G. Sree Pooja,
  • S. Mounika,
  • B. B. Nayak,
  • M. Raviteja,
  • Ch. Navya

摘要

As the global population grows, climate change and pollution increasingly threaten ecosystems and human health. Micropollutants, including banned agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics, persist in the environment and bioaccumulate organisms. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), over 90% of the world’s freshwater sources are contaminated with micropollutants, primarily from agriculture. In regions of intensive farming, pesticide contamination can reach 40%, posing significant risks to biodiversity and human welfare (World Health Organization, WHO). This chapter discusses the ecological and health impacts of micropollutants, particularly agrochemicals and microplastics. The widespread use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in agriculture leads to soil degradation, water pollution, and food chain disruptions (FAO in Mitigating Nitrogen Pollution, 2023). Microplastics further exacerbate these issues, affecting nutrient cycles and harming organisms (International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN). Chronic exposure to these pollutants is linked to endocrine disorders, cancer, and antimicrobial resistance, affecting millions globally through contaminated food and water (WHO). The chapter also explores the synergistic effects of multiple micropollutants, highlighting that their combined toxicity often exceeds individual impacts. Bioremediation, using microbes and plants to degrade or immobilize contaminants, offers a promising solution. As these techniques advance (European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, JRC), there is hope for mitigating micropollutant hazards. This chapter underscores the need for coordinated global efforts to address these threats, especially in agriculture.