Introduction

The indiscriminate use of chemical substances in industrial processes and anthropogenic activities has 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.

About the Book

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.