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

The Global Horizon Scanning Project (GHSP) is an innovative initiative that aims to identify important global environmental quality research needs. Here we report 20 key research questions from Latin America (LA). Members of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) LA and other scientists from LA were asked to submit research questions that would represent priority needs to address in the region. One hundred questions were received, then partitioned among categories, examined, and some 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) identifying contaminants and degradation products in complex matrices (including biota); 2) advancing prediction of contaminant risks and effects 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 sustainable development. 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 to agriculture, urban effluents, solid wastes, pulp and paper mills, and natural extraction activities. Several interesting research topics included assessing and preventing pollution impacts on conservation protected areas, integrating environment and health assessments, and developing strategies for identification, substitution, and design of less hazardous chemicals (e.g., green chemistry). Finally, a recurrent research need included developing an understanding of differential sensitivity of regional species and ecosystems to environmental contaminants and other stressors. Addressing these critical questions will support development of long‐term strategic research efforts to advance more sustainable environmental quality and protect public health and the environment in LA

Inst. de Recursos Biológicos

Fil: Furley, Tatiana Heid. Aplysia Environmental Consulting; Brasil

Fil: Brodeur, Celine Marie Julie. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Recursos Bilológicos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.

Fil: Asis, Helena C. Silva de. Federal University of Parana. Pharmacology Department; Brasil

Fil: Carriquiriborde, Pedro. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Química. Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata; Argentina

Fil: Chagas, Katia R. Aplysia Environmental Consulting; Brasil

Fil: Corrales, Jone. Baylor University. Department of Environmental Science; Estados Unidos

Fil: Denadai, Marina. Federal University of São Carlos. Department of Chemistry; Brasil

Fil: Fuchs, Julio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina

Fil: Mascarenhas, Renata. Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana; Brasil

Fil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Química. Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata; Argentina

Fil: Miguez Carames, Diana Margarita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas. Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental; Argentina. Laboratorio Tecnológico del Uruguay ; Uruguay

Fil: Navas, José María. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA). Department of Environment; España

Fil: Nugegoda, Dayanthi. RMIT University; Australia

Fil: Planes, Estela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Química; Argentina

Fil: Rodriguez-Jorquera, Ignacio Alejandro. Universidad Austral de Chile. Centro de Humedales Río Cruces; Chile

Fil: Orozco-Medina, Martha. University of Guadalajara; México

Fil: Boxall, Alistair B.A. University of York. Environment Department; Gran Bretaña

Fil: Brooks, Bryan W. Baylor University. Department of Environmental Science; Estados Unidos

Fil: Rudd, Murray A. Emory University. Department of Environmental Sciences; Estados Unidos