Abstract: 

Anthropogenic pollution has become a major factor causing environmental changes and the release of harmful pollutants into aquatic ecosystems. The acceleration of global warming and the accumulation of pollutants in the marine environment are of great concern for the aquaculture industry and marine conservation. This review summarizes metagenomic studies examining how aquatic organisms respond to the environmental exposome. It explores the anthropogenic impacts on gut health in these organisms and investigates the interplay between gut microbiota and the environmental exposome. Gut microbiota has a symbiotic relationship with their hosts, contributing to digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and disease resistance. Marine gut microbiota predominantly includes Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Cyanobacteria, with relative abundances influenced by host diet, genetics, antibiotic treatments, and other environmental factors. Imbalance in gut microbiota composition and the presence of microbes producing toxic metabolites can disrupt immunomodulation in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, potentially leading to inflammation. This inflammation can impact the gut-brain axis, raising concerns about mental health and neurological disorders in organisms. The involvement of gut microbiota in xenobiotic modulation highlights their role in detoxification, which can enhance adaptability to environmental exposures. This review provides critical insights into how the gut microbiota of marine organisms is influenced by environmental exposomes, such as pollutants, and highlights its potential role in detoxification and disease resistance. This provides a valuable prospect for ecological conservation strategies to introduce beneficial bacteria to wild marine organisms to enhance their fitness and adaptability.

10.1016/j.hazadv.2025.100612