Objectives To develop and implement an Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring Unit at the Universidad Regional Amazónica del Ecuador (IKIAM) capable of evaluating the water quality status of the Napo River using advanced ecotoxicological methods.
General activities Researchers from Ecuador and Spain will work together to standardize toxicity test protocols with Amazonian organisms, identify sources of contamination in the Napo River, evaluate pesticide and metal concentrations, and design toxicity studies to assess contamination risks to populations and communities.
Expected results This project will contribute to the consolidation of IKIAM’s ecotoxicology research line and will collaborate with the National Water Reference Laboratory (LNRA) of Ecuador to improve prospective risk assessment of chemical substances.
It will make a proposal for the inclusion of new toxicological tests in Ecuadorian regulations.

Reference: 2018/02/20/BT/YR Funded by: IKIAM