Ecotechnologies for Persistent Pollutants

Persistent organic pollutants represent organic substances that have toxic properties, are resistant to degradation, they bioaccumulate and are transported by air, water, and migratory species across international borders and are stored away from their place of origin. Research has shown that continental aquatic ecosystems are vulnerable to pollution with POPs, and the accumulation of these substances in fish meat that can enter in the human consumption is significant. Thus, a mechanism is needed to obtain coherent data at regional and global level regarding the concentration of these substances in the sediment, water and aquatic organisms, also research efforts are needed to evaluate the effects of POPs on ecological processes, to evaluate toxicological and nontoxicological effects and also medium- and long-term risks.