Toward sustainable environmental quality: Identifying priority research questions for Latin America

FURLEY, TATIANA HEID; BRODEUR, JULIE; SILVA DE ASSIS, HELENA C; CARRIQUIRIBORDE, PEDRO; CHAGAS, KATIA R; CORRALES, JONE; DENADAI, MARINA; FUCHS, JULIO; MASCARENHAS, RENATA; MIGLIORANZA, KARINA SB; MIGUEZ CARAMÉS, DIANA MARGARITA; NAVAS, JOSÉ MARIA; NUGEGODA, DAYANTHI; PLANES, ESTELA; RODRIGUEZ-JORQUERA, IGNACIO ALEJANDRO; OROZCO-MEDINA, MARTHA; BOXALL, ALISTAIR BA; RUDD, MURRAY A; BROOKS, BRYAN W

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management

Wiley

Año: 2018 vol. 14 p. 344 - 357

The Global Horizon Scanning Project (GHSP) is an innovative initiative that aims to identify important global environmental qualityresearch needs. Here we report 20 key research questions from Latin America (LA). Members of the Society of EnvironmentalToxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) LA and other scientists from LA were asked to submit research questions that would representpriority needs to address in the region. One hundred questions were received, then partitioned among categories, examined, andsome rearranged during a workshop in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Twenty priority research questions were subsequently identified.These research questions included developing, improving, and harmonizing across LA countries methods for 1) identifyingcontaminants and degradation products in complex matrices (including biota); 2) advancing prediction of contaminant risks andeffects in ecosystems, addressing lab-to-field extrapolation challenges, and understanding complexities of multiple stressors(including chemicals and climate change); and 3) improving management and regulatory tools toward achieving sustainabledevelopment.Whereas environmental contaminants frequently identified in these key questions were pesticides, pharmaceuticals,endocrine disruptors or modulators, plastics, and nanomaterials, commonly identified environmental challenges were related toagriculture, urban effluents, solid wastes, pulp and paper mills, and natural extraction activities. Several interesting research topicsincluded assessing and preventing pollution impacts on conservation protected areas, integrating environment and healthassessments, and developing strategies for identification, substitution, and design of less hazardous chemicals (e.g., greenchemistry). Finally, a recurrent research need included developing an understanding of differential sensitivity of regional species andecosystems to environmental contaminants and other stressors. Addressing these critical questions will support development oflong-term strategic research efforts to advance more sustainable environmental quality and protect public health and theenvironment in LA.