Endocrine disrupting chemicals in the marine and estuarine environment

Abstract

In the last few decades, several scientific studies have revealed that the marine and estuarine environment is vulnerable towards various endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are structurally diverse group of compounds that may damage the health of humans, wildlife, fisheries and their progeny by the interaction with the endocrine system. EDCs encompass a wide spectrum of chemicals like pesticides (such as DDT, lindane and vinclozolin) and industrial chemicals (such as phthalates, bisphenol A and alkylphenols). These groups of chemicals have considerably adverse effect not only on the individual species, but also on the marine and estuarine biotic community. Several EDCs also bioaccumulate and biomagnify through food chain posing a great risk (mostly reproductive failure) to the top level members of the trophic level.