(Effects of pesticides on aquatic fauna: a literature review)

Abstract

Abstract The excessive use of pesticides produced by agriculture, industry and anthropic activities generates negative effects on the environment and human beings. These chemical substances reach rivers and lakes through runoff or leaching and groundwater through infiltration. The objective of this study was to identify the effects caused by pesticides on aquatic fauna through a bibliographic review in order to provide recommendations for improvement and future surveys. The methodology used was based on a bibliographic review that subsequently allowed the information collected to be analyzed and presented in tables and arguments to propose recommendations for improvement. The main results indicate that in aquatic biota, pesticides reduce phytoplankton, cause problems in the functioning of aquatic species and in the worst case a decrease in the population. On the other hand, humans are also affected through the consumption of contaminated species. Finally, the study concludes by considering that the reduction and adequate management of pesticides can be carried out through the replacement of pesticides by the chemical substance produced by garlic, social awareness, regulatory policies that are applicable, monitoring and evaluation that allow obtaining information to subsequently generate alternatives for improvement against pesticide contamination.

Keywords

• ecotoxicology, aquatic ecosystem, pollution, aquatic species, pesticide.