Pollutants can affect marine life on multiple levels, from individual organisms to entire populations and ecosystems. At the organism level, exposure to toxic substances can lead to bioaccumulation and biomagnification, where toxicants accumulate in an organism's tissues and increase in concentration along the food chain. This can result in physiological and reproductive harm, affecting growth rates, immune function, and survival. At the ecosystem level, pollution can alter community structure, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt food webs.
