MP4 Organic, Metallic, Organometallic Pollutants and Method
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(RAM-1117-850795) Selection of a battery of bioassay for the evaluation of environmental samples and chemicals for Mexico.

Ramírez-Romero, P¹, Pica-Granados, Y², Mendoza-Cantú, A³, Cuevas-Diaz, M. C.³, Betancourt-Lozano, M⁴, ¹ Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico, D. F., Mexico² Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico³ Instituto Nacional de Ecología, Mexico, D. F., Mexico⁴ Universidad Veracruzana, Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico

ABSTRACT- Environmental quality criteria in Mexico have been established using data from U.S.A., Canada and Europe, but now the Environmental Secretary (SEMARNAT) has acknowledged the need for a battery of bioassays that either involve Mexican species or are performed under conditions similar to those present in Mexican ecosystems. In order to select the appropriate bioassays a group of experts was gathered, and the first issue discussed was the selection criteria for these bioassays. Criteria were organized in three groups: feasibility, organisms characteristics and tests characteristics. Later the group was divided to specifically analyze candidate bioassays for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The aquatic group also discussed sediments and later was subdivided in freshwater and marine systems. Since most toxicological information for Mexico has been published in gray literature a data base has been created, however these data will also have to be examined for scientific validity. In the end, a group of protocols have been proposed to be tested in an interlaboratory round next year.

Key words: Mexico, Bioassay battery