Historical findings on presence of pollutants in water bodies in latin america and their ecotoxicological impact

Abstract

In this chapter, we analyzed the historical findings related to pollution in water bodies in Latin America, focusing on the presence and effects caused by the main pollutants that are present in water bodies such as heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbon compounds, plastics, organic compounds, and others, with emphasis on their ecotoxicological impact. We reviewed works carried out in countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, as well as other Latin American countries. Besides physicochemical parameters, bioindicators, such as Lingulodinium polyedrum, Baccharis sarothroides Gray, E. imbricata, Crassostrea corteziensis, Cyathea costaricensis, Rhinella arenarum, Cyprinus carpio, Pimelodella laticeps, Daphnia sp., and others, were used to evaluate the toxic effects caused by the pollutants. It is important to continue with studies on the ecotoxicological impact and, in selected cases, to continue existing studies, to generate a complete panorama about the problem that, although this chapter is focused on Latin America, is a global problem.