Assessment of sulfonamide contamination in aquatic environments: A first report for Argentina and environmental risk assessment.

The global surge in pharmaceutical consumption, driven by increasing population and the demand for animal proteins, leads to the discharge of diverse pollutants, including antibiotic residues, into water bodies. Sulfonamides, being water-soluble compounds, can readily enter surface run-off, posing potential risks to non-target species despite their low environmental concentrations. Latin America has implemented intensive production systems highly dependent on antimicrobials for productivity and animal health, yet there is a paucity of information regarding their concentration in the region.

Whole-sediment toxicity bioassays with Hyalella curvispina as a valuable bioanalytical tool for assessing pesticide risks in watercourses with different types of agro-productive activities.

The current Argentine agricultural production model is dependent on agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. Extensive agriculture and horticulture are the two major productive activities that use copious amounts of pesticides. Extensive agriculture is characterized by areas of 50 to 100 ha of a single crop, while peri-urban horticulture is characterized by intense land use, with farms ranging from 1 to 3 ha cultivated with a variety of vegetables.