New challenges in environmental chemistry

The major goal of this paper is to point out the frontiers of environmental chemistry and the new paradigms for the next decade, with especial focus t o Latin America countries. To better address the issue, three different sce narios were selected: (a) major changes in laboratory routine and research activities; (b) extra-laboratory tendencies; and (c) legal, political and s ocial aspects, In the first case, there is an enormous need for implementin g protocols centered on quality assurance, especially when dealing with ult ra-trace analysis. The use of certified materials and standards should be e nforced in the near future, as well as the implementation of intra and inte r laboratory calibration programs. Sampling is another point that will dema nd a great amount of attention. Field analysis, including in situ monitorin g, is a fast growing area in environmental chemistry, and certainly will de mand expertise in various issues, including miniaturization of instrumentat ion, remote and continuous monitoring and bioassays, providing information that certainly will subsidize the evaluation of existing quality criteria f or water and air.