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Abstract

Emerging contaminants (ECs) have become a significant focus of environmental research due to their potential adverse impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. These contaminants, which include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, microplastics, and nanomaterials, are increasingly detected in environmental matrices such as water, soil, and air. The persistence and bioaccumulation of these pollutants in ecosystems pose considerable risks to both individual species and entire ecological communities. This paper reviews the ecotoxicological risks of emerging contaminants, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, the challenges in assessing their impacts, and the implications for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. The interactions between ECs and key ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, food web dynamics, and species interactions are explored. Furthermore, we highlight the need for integrated monitoring and management strategies, considering both the chemical and biological dimensions of these contaminants. The paper concludes by identifying knowledge gaps and future research directions to better understand and mitigate the ecotoxicological risks associated with emerging contaminants.