Environmental legislation and aquatic ecotoxicology in Mexico: Past, present and future scenarios

Abstract

The consolidation of environmental legislation is fundamental for governments that wish to support and promote different actions focused on reducing pollution and protecting natural water resources in order to maintain the present and future benefits that water provides for human beings and wild life. Environmental laws are essential for sustaining human activities and health, preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. In this context, it is important that environmental regulations concentrate on preventing or reducing the harmful impact of pollutants on organisms and ecosystems. The introduction of toxicity bioassays in environmental regulations is a positive step toward achieving this goal. In Mexico, the development of environmental legislation and the introduction of bioassays in water regulation are part of a very recent and complex journey. This article describes how aquatic ecotoxicology tools, particularly bioassays, have influenced water pollution policies in Mexico. Three scenarios are reviewed: the background of Mexican legislation on water protection and Mexico's participation in the Watertox project; the actual efforts of SEMARNAT to develop bioassay batteries for this country; and, the challenges and perspectives of ecotoxicological bioassays as regulatory instruments.

NSAID-manufacturing plant effluent induces geno- and cytotoxicity in common carp ( Cyprinus carpio )

“…To fully assess water contamination, physicochemical analyses must be complemented with biological tests or toxicity bioassays in order to obtain information on the ecotoxicological effects of chemical substances (Mendoza-Cantú et al, 2007).…”

Combined effects of exposure time and copper toxicity on the demography ofMoina macrocopa(Crustacea: Cladocera)

“…[25] Since copper at concentrations much lower than the maximal permissible level had adverse effect on the survival and reproduction of M. macrocopa, it is necessary to amend the regulatory laws so as to protect the cladocerans in natural waters against industrial effluents containing higher levels of heavy metals. From this point of view, there is already some initiative to apply new evaluation criteria for water quality in Mexico [26] and the present data may be further utilized for the future endeavors for improving the safety standards of the industrial effluents.…”

Effect of cadmium and zinc on the population growth of Brachionus havanaensis (Rotifera: Brachionidae)

“…The recent initiative for standardizing acute toxicity texts for Mexico is noteworthy here. [11] Though Mexico currently uses the cladoceran Daphnia magna as the test species, it is not considered as an ecological representative of the nation. [12,13] High rotifer diversity in Mexico (ca.…”