# Harnessing Biotechnology for the Remediation of Organic Pollutants in Coastal Marine Ecosystems  
1 School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2 TT, UK; [EMAIL_ADDRESS].  
describe organic pollutants as biodegradable toxic molecular compounds broken down by microbial oxidation [7; 8], while others define them as synthetic, non-biodegradable compounds that persist in the environment [9]. This conflict in definition is rooted in differing scientific perspectives on toxicity, biodegradability, and environmental persistence which can influence the selection of remediation strategies. For instance, pollutants classified as persistent may necessitate multi-stage bioremediation processes, whereas those considered readily biodegradable might be addressed through simpler microbial or enzymatic pathways. Despite this conflict in definition, most studies cite similar examples of organic pollutants that include herbicides, pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, industrial chemicals, pharmaceutical waste, and microplastic-associated contaminants [8]. The scientific interest in organic pollution has grown over recent decades with a focus on the identification, classification, environmental impact and remediation strategies of pollutants [10]. [PERSON] et al. [11] categorized marine pollutants as either organic or inorganic and identified compounds such as antibiotics, hexachlorocyclohexane and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as common organic pollutants in coastal ecosystems either in free form or bound to microplastics.  
Traditional remediation methods are limited by high costs and ecological disruptions, and in order to address this, researchers are increasingly turning to biotechnology as a sustainable alternative. Biotechnology offers biologically driven solutions through mechanisms like biostimulation, biosurfactant production and bioaugmentation, which use and enhance microbial activity to degrade pollutants [12; 13]. [PERSON] et al. [14] highlighted how microbial processes such as bioaccumulation, bioconcentration, and biomagnification are central to many biotechnological approaches used in coastal environments. Biotechnology also leverages natural biological processes that include enzymatic and metabolic pathways in microorganisms and plants for pollutant breakdown [15]. In addition, other biotechnology methods like phytoremediation and mycoremediation have emerged to offer complementary tools for pollutant removal. Phytoremediation employs microalgae and cyanobacteria, which can absorb and transform organic pollutants through biosorption, enzymatic degradation, and photosynthetic uptake. Their adaptability to saline conditions and high surface-area-to-volume ratios make them particularly effective in marine environments [16]. Mycoremediation, on the other hand, uses fungi and marine yeast strains such as _Yarrowia lipolytica_ and _Candida tropicalis_, which produce extracellular enzymes like lacases and peroxididases capable of breaking down complex organic compounds in harsh environments [17].  
Decades of innovation have led to the development of environmental biotechnology tools such as genetic engineering, cell manipulation and hydrogel-based delivery systems, which improve the efficiency and specificity of pollutant removal in saline and dynamic coastal conditions [15; 18]. These tools enable the transformation of organic contaminants into less toxic or inert compounds, often with minimal disruption to the surrounding habitat.  
Given the biodegradable nature of most organic pollutants, biotechnological methods, particularly those relying on microbial metabolism, have emerged as cost-effective, eco-friendly and adaptable alternatives to traditional remediation techniques [19]. This article reviews key categories of organic pollutants in coastal marine ecosystems and examines biotechnological advances like bioremediation and phytoremediation, highlighting their potential, limitations and opportunities.