Phthalic Acid Esters Accumulation and Biodegradation in Mesozooplankton: A Comprehensive Review

Ocean is a place for various living organisms but the threat to marine life is increasing day by day due to various anthropogenic activities such as dredging, over exploration, dumping of waste, and land reclamation. Burning of fossil fuel causes an increase in CO₂ content that decreases the pH of the ocean. Zooplankton are organisms that drift along the currents, tide and waves of the ocean. They are distributed unevenly all over the ocean. Their diversity, abundance and distribution are influenced by various climatic and physico-chemical parameters. Their existence plays an important role and significance in biogeochemical cycles, vertical migration, deep scattering layer, bioluminescent plankton, discontinuous distribution, ooze formation and biological indicators. Wastes from municipal, industries and domestic are discharged into the marine ecosystem. Organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls, DDT, Polyaromatic hydrocarbons have grabbed much attention. Phthalates are used and produced by various industries as plasticizers (plastic additives) for durability and flexibility of products. Thus, use of phthalates has increased and several toxic studies on it have grabbed much attention as marine persistent pollutants. The current chapter reveals the review of literature in relation to zooplankton and impact of pollution on zooplankton, concentration of phthalates and a group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), its distribution and effects on zooplankton and biodegradation.