The indiscriminate use of chemical substances in industrial processes and anthropogenic activities, have resulted in the release of these compounds into aquatic ecosystems through municipal, hospital and industrial discharges, producing various undesired effects on the environment and on species of ecological interest. These compounds, such as metals, pesticides, emerging pollutants and other substances are persistent and susceptible to biotic and/or abiotic transformations, yielding metabolites that can be more toxic than the original compounds. In this book, researchers from diverse environmental science disciplines share their experiences in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, and critically examine the problem of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems in Latin America, as well as the risks presented by their presence.
The potential impact of anthropogenic pollutants such as agrochemicals on the environment is of global concern. Increasing use of certain compounds can result in contamination of food, water and atmospheric systems and in order to combat this pollution it is important to be able to accurately monitor the short and long term effects. This book describes the latest aquatic species models used as indicators of the toxic effects of environmental pollutants, including models that have not routinely been used. The book enables understanding of the effects of pollutants in non-target species, and therefore enables analysis of the effects on ecosystems. This book will be of interest to anyone interested in developing new biomarker species with high degrees of ecological relevance. It will serve as a useful resource for regulatory and research toxicologists, particularly those studying freshwater, marine water and sediment environments.
The indiscriminate use of chemical substances in industrial processes and anthropogenic activities, have resulted in the release of these compounds into aquatic ecosystems through municipal, hospital and industrial discharges, producing various undesired effects on the environment and on species of ecological interest. These compounds, such as metals, pesticides, emerging pollutants and other substances are persistent and susceptible to biotic and/or abiotic transformations, yielding metabolites that can be more toxic than the original compounds. In this book, researchers from diverse environmental science disciplines share their experiences in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, and critically examine the problem of contaminants in aquatic ecosystems in Latin America, as well as the risks presented by their presence.
Reservoir construction is the key strategy for water resource management. In recent years, the migration of pollutants and their transformation into the reservoir ecosystem has become a global problem. Intensified anthropogenic activities and unsustainable practices have amplified the pollutant levels in the reservoir. Therefore, this book intends to highlight environmental characteristics of the reservoir, study methods of ecotoxicology, and mechanistic toxicogenetic pathways of pollutants in the reservoir. Adverse outcome pathway (AOPs) model is used to elucidate toxicological effects of reservoir pollutants. Moreover, ecological and human health risks of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), the largest power generation reservoir on earth, and its pollution status are also discussed.
Invasive non-native species are a major threat to global biodiversity. Often introduced accidentally through international travel or trade, they invade and colonize new habitats, often with devastating consequences for the local flora and fauna. Their environmental impacts can range from damage to resource production (e.g. agriculture and forestry) and infrastructure (e.g. buildings, road and water supply), to human health. They consequently can have major economic impacts. It is a priority to prevent their introduction and spread, as well as to control them. Freshwater ecosystems are particularly at risk from invasions and are landscape corridors that facilitate the spread of invasives. This book reviews the current state of knowledge of the most notable global invasive freshwater species or groups, based on their severity of economic impact, geographic distribution outside of their native range, extent of research, and recognition of the ecological severity of the impact of the species by the IUCN. As well as some of the very well-known species, the book also covers some invasives that are emerging as serious threats. Examples covered include a range of aquatic and riparian plants, insects, molluscs, crustacea, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals, as well as some major pathogens of aquatic organisms. The book also includes overview chapters synthesizing the ecological impact of invasive species in fresh water and summarizing practical implications for the management of rivers and other freshwater habitats.
Latin America is one of the most diverse but also vulnerable regions in the world that is under continuous anthropogenic pressure due to increasing urban, industrial and agricultural developments. Although there are many research groups studying the impacts caused by those pressures, the results and conclusions obtained by many of them are largely unknown because their studies are mostly published at the local or regional scale. Ecotoxicology in Latin America represents an effort to collect and share research performed in Latin America in the area of ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment, presenting a collection of relevant and innovative studies focused on the following topics: (i) Contaminant entrance, transportation, distribution and fate; (ii) Environmental risk in freshwater ecosystems; (iii) Ecological risk in coastal zones; (iv) Biomonitoring programs: water, sediment and air; (v) Physiological effects and biomarkers; (vi) Soil ecotoxicology; (vii) Bioaccumulation and human risk; (viii) Toxicity of emerging contaminants; and (ix) Frontiers in Ecotoxicology. This selection of topics aims at covering the most important subjects and applications of ecotoxicology, including classical and novel subjects. Therefore, this book contains chapters related to different environmental compartments prone to contamination (water, sediment, soil and air), to different contamination sources (agriculture, industry, urban discharges and natural emissions), and to multiple biological responses at different organizational levels (individual to ecosystems, including human beings). It is envisioned to have an international projection within and beyond Latin American countries, as it is a great opportunity to increase the networks not only among Latin American research teams working on similar subjects, but also with teams from other regions. The idea of this book was to favour the connection among groups to quickly improve the development of methods and their application in ecotoxicological and environmental risk studies in Latin America. This book will be useful to important sectors of environmental sciences and related areas, and to specific target demographics such as students and researchers acting in environmental studies, and decision-makers (i.e., politicians and environmental organizations). Ecotoxicology in Latin America presents 34 chapters authored by 111 researchers from 12 Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela) and from 6 non-Latin American countries (Austria, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and USA).
Aeglidae focuses on these unique crustaceans who are endemic to South America. The book is the first to summarize the diverse aspects of the Aeglidae, whose taxonomic features and phylogenetic relationships, evolutionary history and biogeographical background, biological characteristics, and current conservation awareness make them stand out among all other decapods. Addresses the morphology, taxonomy, and phylogenetics that characterize the Aegla and their relationship to other decapod taxa Provides in-depth treatment of the evolutionary history, biogeography, reproduction, developmental biology, and the life cycle of the Aeglidae Discusses their physiology, ecology and behavior, including physiological mechanisms associated with freshwater adaptation, population dynamics, trophic ecology, agonistic and non-agonistic behavior Covers the current conservation status of all known species of aeglids, major threats to them, the use of aeglids as flagships or umbrella species, and conservation action planning Edited by internationally distinguished leaders in this field. This will be an important reference not only for carcinologists working with this family of decapods, but also readers interested in the evolution, biogeography, taxonomy, phylogenetics, physiology, and reproductive ecology.
Responding to the growing need for an aggressive yet conservative approach to evaluating mussel populations, Freshwater Bivalve Ecotoxicology provides a collective review of the techniques and approaches for assessing contaminant impact on freshwater ecosystems. The editors incorporate coverage of research topics and management issues from a cross-section of scientists in the field. They explore current advances in general monitoring of population responses to stressors, fundamental concepts of ecotoxicology specific to burrowing bivalves, and useful insights that offer direction and priority for resolving specific problems challenging protection and conservation efforts. This book lays the groundwork with discussions of topics such as impact assessment, toxicokinetics, biomarkers, and pollution tolerance. The authors then explore fundamental concepts surrounding responses measured in freshwater bivalves as a consequence of chemical exposures or accumulated contaminants in target organs or tissues. They highlight the difficulties encountered with the laboratory culture of these organisms for toxicity testing or other controlled experiments, and examine the use of surrogate test organisms to relate sensitivities of response and reduce pressure on already impacted fauna. The book also reviews innovative field research using in situ bivalve toxicity testing, discusses effects-oriented tissue contaminant assessment, and concludes with threefour specific laboratory or combined field/laboratory ecotoxicology studies. A summary of methods from more than 75 laboratory toxicity studies conducted with freshwater mussels, the book provides an overview of a standardized method for conducting water-only acute and chronic laboratory toxicity tests with glochidia juvenile freshwater mussels. It focuses on studies that report measured contaminant treatments, had robust experimental designs, including replication of control and contaminant treatments, and were published in the peer-reviewed literature. The resulting array of viewpoints provides a framework that can be used to establish priorities in the rehabilitation and management of freshwater ecosystems.
Focusing on state-of-the-art biological testing and methods used for aquatic ecosystem health assessment, Ecotoxicological Testing of Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems evaluates the latest bioassay techniques and different types of water and sediment quality assessments. The book also explores multi-tiered approaches to making recommendations for th
Emerging Freshwater Pollutants: Analysis, Fate and Regulations comprises of 20 chapters, all written by leading experts. This book is written in the most practical terms and is easy to understand, with numerous helpful examples and case studies and can be used as a practical guide and important educational tool on issues concerning freshwater emerging pollutants. The organisation of the book exposes the reader in logical succession to the full range of complex scientific and management aspects of emerging freshwater pollutants in the developing world. The book recognises that water chemistry, emerging freshwater pollutants and management are inter-dependent disciplines. The book covers (i) the different monitoring techniques, current analytical approaches and instrumental analyses, (ii) fate and occurrence of emerging pollutants in aquatic systems and (iii) management policies and legislations on emerging pollutants. Thus, subsequent chapters elucidate chemicals with pollution potential, multi-detection approaches to analysis of organic pollutants in water, microplastics effects and photochemical transformation of emerging pollutants in freshwater systems. Whereas, other chapters address oxidation of organic compounds in aquatic systems, biomonitoring systems for detection of toxic levels of water pollutants, and health aspects of water recycling practices. This book melds several different perspectives on the subject of freshwater emerging pollutants and shows the interrelationships between the various professions that deal with water quality issues. Further, within the presentation of each separate chapter is discussion of how the various scientific and management aspects of the subject interrelate. - Includes case studies and practical examples in each chapter - Presents a much-needed interdisciplinary approach, representing the overlap between water chemistry and emerging freshwater pollutants - Provides a thorough introduction to emerging tropical and freshwater pollutants that typically occur in these systems
