Long-Term Environmental Exposure in Complex Ecosystems: Integrating Toxicological Mechanisms and Ecological Consequences

The field of Environmental Toxicology is increasingly focused on understanding the effects of chronic and cumulative exposures to a diverse array of anthropogenic stressors within natural ecosystems. Globally, environmental systems are continuously shaped by legacy contaminants, emergent pollutants such as micro- and nanoplastics, and complex mixtures of chemical, physical, and particulate agents. While acute toxicological responses are well-studied, there is a significant gap in our understanding of how prolonged and multifaceted exposures impact biological systems over ecological and evolutionary timescales. Current evidence suggests that sustained interactions with such stressors can produce non-linear and often unpredictable biological effects, particularly when considering spatial, temporal, and biological complexity. However, limitations in replicating real-world exposure dynamics within laboratory settings have hindered comprehensive assessments of long-term ecological and toxicological risks, leaving unresolved questions regarding their broader ecosystem impacts. This Research Topic also includes exploratory and field-based studies from data-limited and underrepresented regions, where real-world exposure conditions provide critical insight into complex environmental stressor systems.The main objective is to encourage integrative research that elucidates how persistent pollutants and multi-stressor landscapes influence organisms and ecosystems, spanning from molecular mechanisms to population and community-level outcomes. Contributors are invited to address pressing questions regarding the interplay between legacy contaminants and emerging environmental threats, the mechanisms driving cumulative or synergistic toxicological effects, and the translation of mechanistic findings to ecosystem-level health and stability. By assembling multidisciplinary perspectives, this Research Topic seeks to inform the development of robust frameworks for evaluating long-term environmental risk and resilience. This Research Topic also welcomes exploratory and field-based studies from data-limited or underrepresented regions, where real-world exposure conditions provide valuable insight into complex environmental stressor systems.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses both field-based and experimental investigations, with a particular emphasis on studies that bridge mechanistic, organismal, and ecological perspectives. Research is welcomed that explores the boundaries of chronic exposure scenarios—including different environments, pollutant classes, and exposure routes—while elucidating both fundamental and applied toxicological processes. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Long-term toxicological effects of legacy contaminants and persistent environmental exposure- Field, experimental, and retrospective studies in chronically exposed settings- Mechanistic toxicology of chemical, physical, and particulate stressors, including mixture and interactive effects- Impacts of emerging contaminants such as microplastics and nanoplastics across biological levels- Multi-stressor interactions and their ramifications in ecological systems- Cross-scale responses, from molecular and cellular changes to population and ecosystem impacts- Studies on exposure pathways through environmental matrices, including food web transfer- Integrative research linking toxicological mechanisms to ecological outcomes- Field-based and exploratory environmental exposure studies in under-monitored or geographically underrepresented ecosystems- Integrated One Health perspectives linking environmental toxicology, ecosystem health, and exposure-related implications for animal and human systemsOriginal research articles, reviews, and perspectives are especially encouraged, particularly those that bridge mechanistic toxicology with real-world exposure and ecosystem-level effects, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of environmental health under chronic and complex stress conditions. Topic editors: Lang Lin, Tijana Milićević Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80380/long-term-environmental-exposure-in-complex-ecosystems-integrating-toxicological-mechanisms-and-ecological-consequences