Heavy metals are occurring in the aquatic environment as the result of natural or anthropogenic inputs, and depending on concentration, availability and resilience time, they can differently affect the animal wellness. Numerous studies reveal that more than 99% of metals in seawater are complexed with organic ligands suggesting the major role of organic complexation on metal behavior. Moreover, the amphilic character of marine natural organic matter makes this substance a relevant medium for interactions with charged and uncharged metal molecules. Here we review mechanisms and factors that control marine organic matter composition and its interactions with metals. Organic matter–metal complexes modify metal bioavailability and, in turn, change effects on living organisms.

作为自然或人为输入的结果，重金属在水生环境中出现，并且根据浓度、可用性和恢复时间，它们可以不同地影响动物健康。大量研究表明，海水中超过 99% 的金属与有机配体络合，这表明有机络合对金属行为的主要作用。此外，海洋天然有机物的两亲特性使这种物质成为与带电和不带电金属分子相互作用的相关介质。在这里，我们回顾了控制海洋有机物组成及其与金属相互作用的机制和因素。有机物-金属络合物会改变金属的生物利用度，进而改变对生物体的影响。