Tecnología y ciencias del agua (Nov 2012)
Program of monitoring and evaluation of TPBS in river basins and aquifers
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to contribute to the preparation of a national surveillance monitoring program for Persistent, Bio-accumulating, and Toxic, Substances (PBTS) in Mexican river basins and aquifers. Selection criteria were established and PBTS were recommended: "priority" PBTS for immediate implementation and "emerging" PBTS that historically have not been considered as contaminants are present in the environment but need further assessment before they are included in surveillance monitoring programs. For the priority list, PBTS were selected that allow for an immediate implementation without further investigation or changes of existing regulations and infrastructure. Information on work related to PBTS in Mexico was collected through Webpages from universities, research institutes, and public organizations. Fifty Mexican institutions were identified that carry out research on PBTS in river basins and aquifers. The most studied PBTS were metals and pesticides and, to a minor extent, Polychlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Polycyclic Benzenes (PCB), dioxins and furans. Among 40 PBTS considered to be relevant for monitoring water, sediments and soil by at least three different countries and international organizations, 30 are included in 8 Mexican regulations where the most abundant (13 substances) are PAH followed by pesticides (12), and metals (3). Comparing this list with published sampling and evaluation of PBTS in Mexico, a starting list of 15 priority PBTS was proposed, considering the inclusion candidate substances according to a previous assessment. Both pristine and polluted sites were proposed for different regions in Mexico.
