Top Predators as Sentinels of Emerging Marine Contaminants: Trophic Transfer, Exposure Pathways and Ecological Risk

Marine ecosystems are increasingly exposed to a complex mixture of emerging contaminants, including micro- and nanoplastics, plastic additives, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), quinones, and algal toxins. Many of these compounds are persistent, mobile, and capable of entering marine food webs through multiple pathways, from plankton and benthic organisms to higher trophic levels. Top predators such as marine mammals, seabirds, and large pelagic fish integrate contamination signals across broad spatial and temporal scales, making them valuable sentinels of ecosystem health. Understanding how contaminants are transferred, accumulated, and biologically transformed through trophic networks is essential to assess ecological risk, identify vulnerable species, and anticipate the impacts of global change on contaminant dynamics.The goal of this Research Topic is to advance our understanding of the trophic transfer, exposure pathways, and ecological consequences of emerging marine contaminants in top predator species. While contaminants are widely detected across ocean basins, major knowledge gaps remain regarding their movement through food webs, their combined effects, and their implications for predator health and population resilience. This Topic aims to bring together interdisciplinary research integrating field observations, experimental approaches, analytical chemistry, ecotoxicology, and ecological modelling. By addressing contaminant sources, bioaccumulation processes, and biological responses across trophic levels, this collection will contribute to improved risk assessment frameworks and strengthen the use of marine predators as early-warning indicators. Ultimately, it will support a more comprehensive understanding of contaminant pressures in a rapidly changing ocean.This Research Topic welcomes contributions exploring contaminant exposure and effects across marine trophic networks, with emphasis on top predators as sentinels. Relevant themes include trophic transfer and biomagnification of emerging pollutants, dietary and habitat-driven exposure pathways, contaminant mixtures, and physiological, reproductive, or behavioural impacts. Studies focusing on micro- and nanoplastics, plastic-derived chemicals, PFAS, quinones, harmful algal toxins, and their interactions under climate-driven change are encouraged. We invite Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Methodological papers addressing monitoring strategies, novel analytical approaches, and ecological risk assessment. Research across diverse ocean regions and species groups is particularly welcome. Topic editors: Odei Garcia-Garin, Annalisa Sambolino, Asunción Borrell, Morgana Vighi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79551/top-predators-as-sentinels-of-emerging-marine-contaminants-trophic-transfer-exposure-pathways-and-ecological-risk