Management, Remediation, and Prevention Strategies for Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Aquatic Ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems across the globe are increasingly threatened by heavy metal contamination, a challenge that continues to raise serious ecological and public health concerns. Rivers, estuaries, coastal waters, and open oceans are exposed to pollutants originating from industrial discharge, mining activities, agricultural runoff, and expanding urban development. Heavy metals are particularly problematic because of their persistence, toxicity, and ability to bioaccumulate through aquatic food chains. Elements such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, lead, and zinc enter freshwater and marine environments through both anthropogenic and natural processes, where they bind with sediments and other contaminants and become available for uptake by aquatic organisms. Over time, these pathways can lead to adverse impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human populations dependent on aquatic resources.This Research Topic aims to create a collaborative and multidisciplinary platform to address the worldwide challenge of heavy metal pollution and explore sustainable management solutions. We invite papers that bring together perspectives from Environmental Science, Marine Ecology, Ecotoxicology, Public Health, and related disciplines. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how environmental variability and human activities influence the mobility, bioavailability, and trophic transfer of metals within aquatic ecosystems. Contributions may also examine the interactions between heavy metals and emerging pollutants such as microplastics and organic contaminants, as well as the role of climate change and habitat degradation in shaping contaminant dynamics across freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments.Effective responses to heavy metal contamination require integrated strategies that combine prevention, remediation, and long-term monitoring. Prevention remains the most sustainable pathway for reducing pollution. Strong regulatory frameworks that control industrial emissions, improve wastewater treatment technologies, and promote environmentally responsible development practices are essential. The adoption of cleaner production technologies, the implementation of reduce, reuse, and recycle (3Rs) strategies, and robust environmental impact assessment processes can significantly limit contamination at its source. In addition, community-based monitoring initiatives and public awareness programs play a crucial role in addressing pollution challenges at local and regional levels, ensuring that scientific knowledge translates into meaningful environmental action.Alongside prevention, this Research Topic encourages discussions on innovative and ecologically compatible remediation approaches. Conventional methods such as froth flotation, sedimentation, chemical precipitation, and adsorption have shown effectiveness in reducing contamination; however, they can be costly and may disrupt ecosystem balance. Increasingly, researchers are exploring nature-based solutions, including bioremediation and phytoremediation, which utilize metal-resistant bacteria, algae, macroinvertebrates, and aquatic plants to immobilize or remove contaminants. These strategies offer cost-effective alternatives that enhance ecosystem resilience, though their large-scale implementation remains a challenge requiring further interdisciplinary collaboration and technological advancement.The scope of this collection extends beyond pollution control to include ecosystem restoration, policy innovation, and health risk assessment. We welcome contributions that present interdisciplinary methodologies, expanded case studies, conceptual perspectives, and policy-oriented discussions aimed at strengthening environmental governance. Studies addressing both human-induced pressures and natural processes influencing metal cycling, ecosystem recovery, and adaptive capacity are particularly encouraged.Global in outlook yet grounded in local relevance, this Research Topic seeks to foster dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working to safeguard aquatic ecosystems. By bringing together diverse insights and experiences, we hope to advance knowledge on preventing heavy metal bioaccumulation, improving remediation strategies, and promoting sustainable aquatic ecosystem management. Topic editors: Preeti Kumari, Rajeev Kanth Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78793/management-remediation-and-prevention-strategies-for-heavy-metal-bioaccumulation-in-aquatic-ecosystems