A Comprehensive Review of Types of Pollution and Their Impacts on Flora and Fauna
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Pollution remains a primary driver of global ecological change, with profound implications for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This review synthesises recent literature on major pollution types like air, water, soil, plastic, noise, light, and thermal pollution and their specific impacts on flora and fauna. Drawing on contemporary studies, including field-based free-air pollution experiments, microbiome analyses, and multi-trophic bioaccumulation assessments, we highlight key mechanisms of harm ranging from molecular disruption to population-level declines. Emerging evidence demonstrates that pollutants interact synergistically with climate change, degrade volatile chemical communication systems, alter gut microbiomes of keystone species, and facilitate the resuspension and trophic transfer of contaminants. Notably, recent research reveals unexpected resilience in some plant-herbivore communication pathways under pollution stress, while documenting severe impacts on pollinators, aquatic biota, and soil food webs. This review underscores the urgency of integrated pollution control and identifies critical knowledge gaps requiring future investigation.
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7159951212
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