Toxicity of Nicotine in Ecosystems: A Review
Keywords:
Nicotine, Ecotoxicity, Contamination, Tobacco Waste, Ecosystem Health, BioremediationAbstract
Nicotine, a toxic alkaloid found in tobacco products, has become a significant environmental pollutant, with wide-reaching impacts on ecosystems. This article explores the ecological toxicity of nicotine, emphasizing its contamination in soils, water bodies, and air, and the subsequent effects on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Nicotine enters ecosystems primarily through tobacco farming, cigarette litter, and the improper disposal of tobacco products. Once introduced into the environment, it can cause soil degradation, inhibit plant growth, and affect soil-dwelling organisms such as earthworms, insects, and microorganisms. In aquatic ecosystems, nicotine contamination leads to toxicity in fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, with the potential for bioaccumulation in food webs. Wildlife species, including mammals, birds, and insects, also suffer from nicotine exposure, experiencing adverse behavioral and reproductive effects. The article further discusses various mitigation strategies, such as improving waste management practices, employing bioremediation techniques, and enforcing stricter regulations on tobacco products and nicotine-based pesticides. It underscores the need for more research into the environmental impacts of nicotine, the development of efficient cleanup technologies, and public education to reduce tobacco waste. The broader consequences of nicotine contamination threaten biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue for the preservation of natural habitats and the services they provide.
How to cite this article:
Ahmed S, Toxicity of Nicotine in Ecosystems: A Review. J Adv Res Alt Energ Env Eco 2026; 13(3&4): 24-34.
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