Impact of triclosan, an emerging pollutant on coastal ecosystem

The flourishing industrial sector and pharmaceutical companies have ushered in a novel predicament by introducing an array of chemicals and their metabolic byproducts into aquatic environments, causing detrimental impacts on the plant and animal life dwelling therein. Triclosan (TCS), a well-recognized antimicrobial agent found in numerous pharmaceuticals and personal care products, epitomizes this concern. The ubiquity of TCS has kindled heightened apprehension regarding its potential menace to coastal ecology and its capacity to disrupt the delicate balance of natural processes. The primary route by which TCS enters the environment is through water pathways. In metropolitan areas, water undergoes sewage treatment, but the efficiency of TCS removal is quite low. The situation worsens in rural areas, where TCS can directly enter water bodies. When released into waterways, TCS ultimately makes its way to the coastal environment. Reports have indicated that TCS has led to various detrimental effects on coastal flora and fauna communities (such as reduced growth of aquatic organisms), gets accumulated in muscles and body tissues, and also developed antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms. Additionally, TCS exhibits lipophilic properties, allowing it to persist in the environment for extended periods, thereby increasing the threat it poses.