I'm currently working on ecotoxicology and I'd like to know what my colleagues from the same area think, especially in South America. Too much of microplastics in my opinion, but few studies regarding their potential effect on the organisms (either continental or marine).
But what about the so-called emerging concern pollutants?? I believe they were left aside because of the microplastics... Which would be the main pollutants that will be our concern in a nearby future by the ecotoxicology? Let's start the debate! I bet nanoparticles...
Hello, Daniela! That's a great question. Currently I'm working with nanotoxicology here in Brazil. Indeed, nanomaterials are one of the highlights for future ecotoxicology research. Although the production and use are raising, their effects are still unknown. We have to care about those materials specially with the possibility of surface modification. Recently, my research group published a paper about the influence of amine-functionalization of SiO2 nanostructures:
Article Investigation of toxicological effects of amorphous silica n...
Micro and nanoplastics are also an emerging subject on ecotoxicology researchs. The increase in the release of pesticides in Brazil also means a very significant field of study. In my opinion, the lack of treatment of our effluents in South America will result in a wide variety of contaminants of emerging concern in our water bodies. Assessing contaminant mixtures should be our next step in ecotoxicology.
Hello Daniela María Truchet.
That's a really great question.
I am currently working with Ecotox. and MPs here in Brazil. Maybe I'm part of the 'problem' you highlighted. Anyway, I think this is an important debate and will give my insights.
In fact, in my case, it was the MPs that brought me to work with the Ecotox. theme, considering that I came from an area of Engineering and Education. I think this should be the case for some new people who come to work with Ecotox.
I don't believe the arrival of researchers in Ecotox by MPs is a problem. For example, in my case, I can transgress to a more chemical ecotoxicological area by analyzing other contaminants, since now I know a little bit more about how it all works.
What I do believe it is a problem is maybe the 'low quantity' of studies that analyze these other contaminants (there are a lot of them!). But I don't believe that MP research is 'hindering' their development. If there's one thing it is doing, it's potentiating it. If research with MP and Ecotox. did not exist, maybe your question would be something like 'How can we potentiate Ecotox. studies?'.
About the contaminants, I do believe that, for a short and medium-term period in the future, licit and illicit substances, such as drugs, would grow. In Brazil case, the sewage treatment is poor for this and most of all contaminants, basically.
I hope I could contribute to your question.
Best regards.
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