Chapter 9: InteracƟve Effects Of Climate Change And Environmental Toxicants On Fish Physiology And Health

Abstract

Climate change and chemical pollution are two significant human-driven factors that are reshaping our aquatic ecosystems today. The way they interact creates challenges that fish face regarding their health and physiology like never before. As global temperatures rise, we’re seeing shifts in crucial environmental factors such as water temperature, oxygen levels, pH, salinity, and water cycles. Since fish are ectothermic, their growth, metabolism, reproduction, and overall survival are closely linked to these changing conditions. Even slight changes driven by climate can greatly affect how vulnerable fish are to other stressors, especially harmful pollutants. Aquatic environments are exposed to a variety of pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and new contaminants that are emerging. In the past, toxicological studies have looked at how these substances affect ecosystems under fairly stable environmental conditions.