Tunnel vision in current chemicals management cannot deal with the unknown risk of synthetic chemicals in aquatic systems

Abstract

Cite as:Sobek, A. and Undeman, E. Tunnel vision in current chemicals management cannot deal with the unknown risk of synthetic chemicals in aquatic systems. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 2019, vol. 31, e106. Abstract: Chemicals management is focused around the hazard, exposure and risk assessment of single chemicals. This is a slow process which cannot keep pace with chemical innovation and development of use. Environmental monitoring focuses on few, and well-known, chemicals. As a consequence, the majority of all chemicals emitted to the aquatic environment remain unstudied, and so does their risk. We conclude that to understand how chemical pollution affects aquatic ecosystems, requires reformation of current chemicals management, moving away from the single chemical approach. It requires increased transparency regarding chemical content in materials, products and articles, and importantly, a management system that covers different aspects of the many unknowns related to chemical pollution of aquatic systems. This implies for instance, environmental monitoring that screens for a wide range of chemicals and effects, and that is able to detect more unexpected effects of chemical pollution than what is possible today. Resumo:A gestão e o manejo de poluentes químicos são focados na periculosidade, exposição e avaliação de risco. Esse processo é lento e não acompanha o surgimento de novas substâncias e o desenvolvimento do seu uso. O monitoramento ambiental foca em poucas substâncias que são bem conhecidas. Consequentemente, a maioria das substâncias emitidas e seus efeitos nos ecossistemas aquáticos permanecem desconhecidos. Concluímos que para se entender como poluentes químicos afetam os ecossistemas aquáticos é necessária a reformulação da atual forma de gestão e manejo atual, abandonando a abordagem sobre avaliação individual dos poluentes. É necessária uma maior transparência sobre o conteúdo químico dos materiais e produtos em geral e, principalmente, que a gestão considere diferentes aspectos e as incertezas relacionados à poluição química em ecossistemas aquáticos. Isso implica, por exemplo, em práticas de monitoramento ambiental que avaliem ampla gama de diferentes poluentes e seus efeitos, viabilizando a detecção de mais efeitos inesperados de poluentes químicos do que se faz atualmente.Palavras-chave: poluição química; manejo e gestão de produtos químicos; monitoramento; aquático; risco.

Editorial: Freshwater sustainability and aquatic ecology in a fast-changing world

“…In a related review, Loureiro & Hepp (2020) highlighted that phytoremediation is as an option to reduce trace element contamination in streams. Sobek & Undeman (2019) discuss another critical issue in water resources management: the need to incorporate integrated approaches that can detect and comprehend the effects of a wide range of novel synthetic chemicals that are being increasingly detected in aquatic ecosystems. In a related contribution about emerging pollution, Resende et al (2020) discuss the role of aquatic environments within the "One Health" context.…”

Water pollution: one of the main Limnology challenges in the Anthropocene

“…The Stockholm Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from those chemicals (Stockholm Convention, 2019), but many of them are not yet on the list to be eliminated or have the use reduced. Researchers face a real challenge to understand the fate and effects of these compounds on humans and in the environment (Sobek & Undeman, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, it is noteworthy to think that there is a combination of such pollutants in the environment. Aquatic ecosystems are exposed to a pool of various pollutants (Sobek & Undeman, 2019). How to consider the different exposures that aquatic ecosystems are facing, such as eutrophication and chemical pollution?…”

“…However, for all the compounds is important to consider long-term and mixture effects, since different chemicals are continuously discharged in the environment. Then, studies considering the complex mixtures of chemicals are crucial for water quality criteria to protect organisms adequately (Salomons and Förstner, 1984;Sobek & Undeman, 2019). Moreover, different species exhibit different tolerances and some end-points are more sensitive, such as behavior.…”

“…The challenges to preserve the water quality in ecosystems are many and includes the need for transdisciplinary work, such as the reforestation of riparian zones with native species and investment in environmental education and social programs (Tundisi, 2005). However, it is truly necessary to improve the communication and action among different sectors of the society (Sobek & Undeman, 2019), so that mutual attitudes can be taken, since we have the same propose: preserve water. For instance, the Brazilian water legislation provides that an effluent must have at least similar water quality, or better, than the water taken.…”