Marine ecosystem is rich and diverse, and plays a vital role in maintaining
the natural balance of the planet. Though, the chemical revolution brought many
benefits to human civilization but it also affected natural ecosystem due to chemical
pollution. Unfortunately, oceans are one of environmental compartments that is at the
most receiving end of the chemical pollution. There is a need to monitor chemical
pollution in oceans for its normal functioning and providing a healthy habitat to marine
biota. The chemical pollution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is one of the most
prominent types of organic contamination in the oceans. PCBs, comprising of 207
congeners, are considered legacy contaminants. PCBs are banned because of persistent,
bioaccumulative and toxic attributes. Being hydrophobic in nature, they tend to bioaccumulate
and bio-magnify, causing human health concerns that many of the sea
organisms serve as food to human beings and other living organisms through food
chain. Monitoring of PCBs in oceans can be done through various methods/techniques
involving bio-indicators, biological monitoring, chemical monitoring, biomarkers and
through isotopic analysis. The use of any single technique may not help in achieving
the maximum control and monitoring of PCBs; so a use of combined approach is
recommended to ensure proper monitoring of PCBs in the marine environment.
Keywords: Marine Ecosystem, PCBs Monitoring, Bioindicators, Control
Measures, Isotopic analysis
