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Luis Soto

National Autonomous University of Mexico Mexico

Luis A. Soto, BS, Diploma FAO-VNIRO, MSc, PhD, is a biological oceanographer at the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology, UNAM, Mexico (2019). He was Dean of Graduate Students in the Marine Science Program (1983–1987) and was Head of the Benthic Ecology Laboratory. His research interest is focused on the functional ecology of benthic communities inhabiting shallow and deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. His scientific production includes 137 peer-reviewed articles, 15 book chapters, and two edited books, receiving over 1600 citations. He has led more than 40 ocean surveys supported by national and international research institutions, and has served as a consultant on environmental issues to UNESCO, OEA, Guggenheim, Fulbright, Chevron-Texaco, Smithsonian, Philadelphia Academy of Science, and the Natural Environmental Research Council, UK. New genera and species of marine invertebrates have been named after him to honor his scientific career. His disciples include three postdoc, 12 PhD, 14 MSc, and 12 BS degrees He is a regular member of the Mexican Academy of Science, Sigma-Xi Society, and holds the highest ranking in the National Research System in Mexico.

1books edited

2chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Luis Soto

This book is an unpretentious editing venture to fill the gap in our current knowledge on the ecological implications caused by anthropogenic disturbances upon benthic communities in several regions of the world, including the Western Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, as well as the pristine environments of the Andes in South America. The common goal of the contributing authors in this book was to unravel the complex processes that make possible the life existence of bottom-living animals in different environmental scenarios. To achieve such a goal, the authors focus their attention on the emerging issues inherent to global climate change or the pollution of aquatic systems. These are all themes that might be of interest to scientists active in a wide range of oceanographic subdisciplines. Well-established researchers would appreciate the innovative approach adopted in each chapter of the book, which extends from the ecosystem level to refined molecular interpretations.

Advances in the Studies of the Benthic Zone

Advances in the Studies of the Benthic Zone

Edited by Luis Soto

Chapters authored

The Hazards of Monitoring Ecosystem Ocean Health in the Gulf of Mexico: A Mexican Perspective

By Luis A. Soto, Alejandro Estradas-Romero, Diana L. Salcedo, Alfonso V. Botello and Guadalupe Ponce-Vélez

Ecological services provided by the Gulf of Mexico constitute vital assets for the socioeconomic development of the USA, Mexico, and Cuba. This ecosystem houses vast biodiversity and significant fossil fuel reserves. However, its ecological stability and resilience have been jeopardized by anthropogenic disturbances. Massive oil spills (Ixtoc-I, 1979; Deepwater Horizon, 2010) caused severe environmental injuries and unveiled the vulnerability of coastal and deep-sea habitats. Baseline and monitoring studies are actions implemented by the Gulf stakeholders to cope with such disturbances. The 3-year monitoring program implemented by Mexico in 2010 to assess the environmental damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) event confirmed the void of knowledge on the complexity of physical and biological processes susceptible of being altered by oil spills. Between the pelagic and benthic compartments, the latter proved to be a better option in establishing the baseline concentration and trends of oil compounds. Surficial sediments exhibited an increasing concentration trend of PAH, AH, and trace metals throughout the 3-year monitoring. The macroinfauna and selected biomarkers experienced interannual variability attributed to critical hydrocarbon and trace metal thresholds. Sediment toxicity bioassays added support to the distribution and potential sources of oil contaminants dispersed from the northern gulf toward Mexican waters.

Part of the book: Monitoring of Marine Pollution

Introductory Chapter: The Benthic Realm

By Luis A. Soto

Part of the book: Advances in the Studies of the Benthic Zone

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