Objectives

To develop and implement an Ecotoxicology and Environmental Monitoring Unit at the Regional University of the Amazon of Ecuador (IKIAM) capable of evaluating the water quality status of the Napo River making use of advanced ecotoxicological methods.

General activities

Researchers from Ecuador and Spain will work together in the standardization of toxicity test protocols with Amazonian organisms, the identification of the pollution sources of the Napo River, the evaluation of concentrations of pesticides and metals and the design of toxicity studies to assess the contamination risks on populations and communities.

Expected results

This project will contribute to the consolidation of the ecotoxicology research line at IKIAM and will collaborate with National Laboratory of Reference in Waters (LNRA) of Ecuador to improve the prospective risk assessment of chemical substances. It will make a proposal for the inclusion of new toxicological tests in the Ecuadorian regulation.

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