Impact of Pharmaceutical Emerging Contaminants on Blue Carbon Sequestration in Tidal Marshes
Abstract
Emerging pharmaceutical contaminants pose a significant threat to blue carbon sequestration in tidal marshes, which are vital coastal ecosystems known for their role in capturing and storing carbon. Pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, hormones, and painkillers, often enter aquatic environments through wastewater discharge and runoff, where they can affect plant and microbial communities that are crucial for carbon cycling. These contaminants can disrupt the growth of marsh vegetation, alter soil microbial activity, and inhibit the processes that contribute to carbon sequestration. Tidal marshes rely on the health of their plant and microbial populations to trap and store carbon in both the above-ground biomass and below-ground soil organic matter. The presence of pharmaceutical contaminants can weaken these processes, potentially reducing the marsh's ability to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change. Understanding the impact of these pollutants is critical for preserving the blue carbon potential of tidal marshes.