Spatio-temporal trends and body size differences of OCPs and PCBs in Laeonereis culveri (Polychaeta: Nereididae) from Southwest Atlantic estuaries

Southwest Atlantic (SWA) estuaries have been historically impacted by industrial and agricultural activities that represent an important source of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Intraspecific differences in OCPs and PCBs levels were evaluated in the benthic polychaete Laeonereis culveri from SWA estuaries (Samborombón; Mar Chiquita; Quequén Grande and Bahía Blanca) at different spatio-temporal scales. Regarding inter- and intra-estuarine spatial comparisons polychaetes showed significant differences in OCPs/PCBs levels (p < 0.05) being DDTs, endosulfan, penta- and hexa-CBs homologues the most representative compounds. Intra-estuarine comparisons also showed significant differences in terms of seasonality and body size (p < 0.05). OCPs/PCBs concentrations were negatively correlated with animal weight, but this covariable was not relevant on differences observed. OCPs/PCBs levels in polychaetes showed strong relationships with those of sediments, being suitable for estuarine biomonitoring studies. Seasonal and body-size differences found in OCPs and PCBs levels in tissues reveal the importance of these factors for intra-estuarine monitoring.Fil: Diaz Jaramillo, Mauricio Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Miglioranza, Karina Silvia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Clam population dynamics as an indicator of beach urbanization impacts

Modification of natural environments due to human activities has become an issue of great concern in the last years. In this study, beach urbanization impact was assessed through population dynamics of two dominant infaunal clam species: Amarilladesma mactroides and Donax hanleyanus. The beaches used as sampling sites were characterized by an urbanization index, which exhibited three levels of urbanization. Recruits and juveniles of both studied species were collected monthly during a two years sampling. Results showed that beach urbanization reduces A. mactroides recruits and juveniles’ abundances, whereas the abundance of D. hanleyanus juveniles increased with higher urbanization degree. Also, the observed effects were limited to summer and autumn, coinciding with the time of higher impact due to recreation activities. The interspecific differences found and the importance of the sampling period when studying anthropic impacts over beaches, are discussed.Fil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Chiaradia, Nicolas Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Jesus Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Are Mussels Always the Best Bioindicators? Comparative Study on Biochemical Responses of Three Marine Invertebrate Species to Chronic Port Pollution

Bivalves have traditionally been considered good bioindicators due to their sensitivity to pollution, among other features. This characteristic is shared by several other non-bivalve species as well, though studies in this respect remain scarce. This work aims to compare biomarker sensitivity to chronic port pollution among three intertidal invertebrate species with good bioindicator characteristics. Mussels’ immunological (phenoloxidase and peroxidases) and biotransformation (glutathione-S-transferase) responses were contrasted against those of limpets and barnacles. The three species under study evidenced activity of all the enzymes measured, although with differences. Barnacle Balanus glandula was the most sensitive species showing pollution modulation of the three enzymes, which suggests that mussels would not always be the best bioindicator species among marine invertebrates depending on the responses that are assessed.Fil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Gimenez, Analia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Shell alterations in the limpet Bostrycapulus odites: A bioindicator of harbour pollution and mine residuals

Molluscs are commonly used as bioindicators because of their abundance, low motility and the information their shells record. Although in harbour areas gastropod shell deposition would be affected at an endocrinal level, which may increase their vulnerability, studies on the shell of gastropods are scarce. Bostrycapulus odites is a limpet species that possess those characteristics as well as a wide distribution. Limpets were collected in 2001 and 2011, in a channel polluted by both, harbour activities and leaching mine residuals, to compare to a 2011 sample from an unpolluted area within San Antonio Bay. The sensitivity to pollution of this species and the possibility of it use to detect changes in the environmental situation of an area in a 10 years period were investigated. Soft body wet weight and shell morphological variables were measured while shells were also analyzed through scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy for microstructure and elemental composition, respectively. Maximum likelihood ratio test showed shells from the polluted channel were thicker as well as the same shells presented microstructure malformations and changes in elemental composition (lower Ca and O levels, higher C and Fe levels). The present results indicate that B. odites can be considered a useful bioindicator species to study these kinds of pollution and the potential processes implicated in shell alterations are discussed.Fil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Jesus Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Cledón, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

An intertidal limpet species as a bioindicator: Pollution effects reflected by shell characteristics

Mollusc shells have been widely used for monitoring the bioavailability of contaminants in the aquatic environment. The present work examined malformations among the shells of the limpet Siphonaria lessoni from heavily polluted, light polluted and unpolluted sites in Argentina. Data on shell shape, thickness, dry weight, microstructure and semi-quantitative elemental composition was evaluated as well as soft tissue dry weight. Shells from the heavily polluted site were significantly (p < 0.001) thicker than those from other areas. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis of thickened shells revealed the presence of globular malformations on inner shell surfaces. On heavily polluted shells, elemental composition analysis by EDS (electron dispersive spectroscopy) of such malformations indicated concentrations three times higher of carbon and four times lower of calcium and oxygen than the control. Light polluted shells presented concentrations two times lower of calcium. In addition, soft tissues were lighter at the heavily polluted site (p < 0.001). These data demonstrate the sensitivity of this abundant and widely distributed intertidal limpet to aquatic pollutants, and support the use of this limpet as a potential biomarker.Fil: Nuñez, Jesus Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Aquarium Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Aquarium Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Cledón, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentina. Aquarium Mar del Plata; Argentin

Human Impacts over Sandy Beaches

The interaction of humans with coastal zones, as with many natural environments, does not usually develop with proper management in order to preserve their natural components. This situation is particularly exacerbated on sandy beach areas as they are sites chosen by many people to live or spend some time. This chapter look over the main human activities which are known to generate an impact over sandy beaches. Also, different methodological approaches used to determine human impacts over this ecosystem through the study of beach resident organisms, are presented and discussed. Finally, case studies which assess the effects that these impacts have on the different areas of these coastal systems are exposed. We hope that all of the above leads to conclusions related to general aspects of human impacts over sandy beaches, gaps and trends on research dedicated to this topic and its input to management plans.Fil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Chiaradia, Nicolas Mariano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Nuñez, Jesus Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Responses at different levels of biological organization of the boccardia proboscidea polychaete to sewage contamination

El vertido de efluentes domésticos e industriales a los océanos es una de las principales formas de contaminación marina. El impacto de estos efluentes sobre el medio marino se puede estudiar a través de las respuestas a distintos niveles de organización biológica dentro del ecosistema. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar respuestas bioquímicas (actividad de amilasas, proteasas alcalinas, lipasas, fenoloxidasa y pirogalol peroxidasas) y ecológicas (abundancia, talla y estructura poblacional) del poliqueto Boccardia proboscidea ante la exposición ambiental a contaminación cloacal, y explorar la relación entre ellas. Para el estudio se seleccionaron las zonas intermareales expuestas a dos efluentes cloacales con distintas características: un efluente intermareal sin tratamiento previo (Quequén) y un emisario submarino con tratamiento primario (Mar del Plata), ambos con sus áreas controles correspondientes. Los resultados no mostraron diferencias en la actividad de las enzimas digestivas ni de las pirogalol-peroxidasas. En cambio, la actividad de la fenoloxidasa alcanzó el mayor valor en el área impactada de Quequén, donde se registró la mayor densidad poblacional de B. proboscidea. Por otro lado, los individuos del área control de Quequén fueron de mayor talla respecto del resto de las áreas. En cuanto a la frecuencia de clases de edad (larva, juvenil, adulto), en el área impactada de Quequén se registró el mayor valor de individuos adultos. El análisis de la relación entre las respuestas bioquímicas, ecológicas y las variables ambientales mostró que la materia orgánica total y la densidad de B. proboscidea correlacionaron lineal positivamente con la actividad de la fenoloxidasa. Estos resultados sugieren que la exposición ambiental al efluente cloacal de Quequén induciría cambios a nivel fisiológico en los individuos de B. proboscidea, reflejado por la alta actividad de la enzima fenoloxidasa, que, a su vez, se relacionó positivamente con la densidad poblacional de esta especie.Fil: Ortells Privitera, Manuela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Jaubet, Maria Lourdes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Burrowing behavior of an infaunal clam species after siphon nipping

Burial depth plays an important role in the life of many infaunal clam species. For these organisms, the most effective defense against predation is to bury into the sediment, which hinder the detection and manipulation of predators. In laboratory conditions, we examined Mesodesma mactroides normal burial depth recovery after two artificial siphon nipping levels (1 cm and 5 cm). The 1 cm siphon nipping experiment was repeated in winter and spring to evaluate if burial depth recovery differs between seasons. The data of normal burial depth (uncut clams) were fitted using linear mixed-effects models, and the data of burial depth recovery (cut clams) were analyzed using non-linear mixed-effects models. In the latter case, three candidate models were tested with each depth data set to explain the normal burial depth recovery at the two cut levels and seasons. The logistic model best explained the recovery of normal burial depth after siphon nipping in M. mactroides. The normal burial depth (uncut clams) did not vary among the studied seasons (winter and spring). On the other hand, there was a synergic effect between seasonality and siphon nipping on clam normal burial depth recovery, being faster in spring than in winter. Lastly, the clams with 5 cm siphon nipping had a delay in recovering the normal burial depth in comparison to clams with 1 cm siphon nipping. Thus, our results show that the temporal window of lethal predation risk could increase according to the level of siphon nipping and the season in which occurs.Fil: Nuñez, Jesus Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Meretta, Pablo Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Ocampo, Emiliano Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Exploring fishery waste potential as antifouling component

Marine biofouling is a global issue with economic and ecological implications. Existing solutions, such as biocide-basedantifouling paints, are toxic for the environment. The search for better antifouling agents remains crucial. Recent researchfocuses on eco-friendly antifouling paints containing natural compounds like enzymes. This study evaluates enzymaticextracts from fishery residues for antifouling potential. Extracts from Pleoticus muelleri shrimp, Illex argentinus squid, andLithodes santolla king crab were analyzed. Proteolytic activity and thermal stability were assessed, followed by bioassays onmussel byssus thread formation and barnacle cypris adhesive footprints. All three extracts demonstrated proteolytic activityand 24-h stability at temperate oceanic temperatures, except I. argentinus. P. muelleri extracts hindered cyprid footprintformation and mussel byssus thread generation. Further purification is required for L. santolla extract to assess its antifoulingpotential activity. This study introduces the use of fishery waste-derived enzyme extracts as a novel antifouling agent,providing a sustainable tool to fight against biofouling formation.Fil: Lenchours Pezzano, Juliana. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ciencias Marinas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Yamila Eliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Gimenez, Analia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin

Butyltin and PAH contamination of Mar del Plata Port (Argentina) sediments and their influence on adjacent coastal regions

The distribution of butyltins (BTs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in surface sediments to assess how relevant is Mar del Plata port (Argentina) as a source of contamination to the surrounding environments. Within the port, TBT concentrations ranged from 24.2 to 150 ng Sn g-1 and PAHs (∑16) from 180 to 17,094 ng g-1. At the surrounding beaches, PAHs were detected at low concentrations and TBT concentrations reached 10.9 ng Sn g-1. Although those low levels indicate that the Port might not be an important source of contamination to the surrounding beaches, the very low TOC content and the coarse grain size of the beaches sediments could explain the sedimentary levels. The results show a reduction in TBT levels in Mar del Plata port after national and international use restrictions of TBT-based antifouling paints.Fil: Laitano, Marìa Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Castro, Ítalo B.. Universidad Federal de São Paulo; Brasil. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Costa, Patrícia G.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Fillmann, G.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Cledón, Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; Argentin