For decades, coastal environments have been experiencing the consequences of profound and often unpredictable changes. These shifts are driven by climate variability, intensified human activities at the land–sea interface, and both natural and anthropogenic disturbances. As a result, coastal ecosystems are shifting from naturally regulated systems toward conditions increasingly shaped by human influence—a hallmark of the Anthropocene Epoch. An extensive array of contaminants circulates in transition environments through continental runoff, atmospheric deposition, and submarine inputs, which includes trace elements, radionuclides, nutrients and organic matter, and organic micropollutants, as well as inorganic and organic compounds of emerging environmental concern whose biogeochemical behavior remains largely unknown. Therefore, the detection of such contaminants, identification of sources, determination of spatial and temporal distribution, their estuarine and coastal biogeochemistry, and ecological impacts are of utmost importance. Understanding dynamic and complex systems such as estuaries and the transformation, fate, and transport of chemical substances, and the societal impacts, remains a challenge.
The main theme for the XVII IEBS symposium in 2026 is “Bridging Current Challenges and Missing Gaps in Estuarine Biogeochemistry”.
Under this umbrella, we organize this Symposium to advance the state of the art by addressing open questions and showcase interdisciplinary work involving the most diverse professionals: marine (geo)chemists, biologists, toxicologists, ecologists, physicists, modellers, and sociologists.
In this context, we welcome studies that address the sources, behaviour and fate of nutrients, organic matter, greenhouse gases, various organic compounds, historical contaminants and those of emerging environmental concern such as technology-critical elements, microplastics, PFAS, and less studied elements. Highlighting the impacts of global changes on estuarine biogeochemistry, management strides and societal challenges, analytical development and new technologies, as well as data accessibility and modelling limitations, are welcomed.
See you in Lisbon at the XVII International Estuarine Biogeochemistry Symposium (IEBS 2026)!
