Distribution and human health risk assessment of PAHs in four fish species from a SW Atlantic estuary

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The aim of this study is to assess—for the first time—the concentration of the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the muscle...     

Multilingual education of students on a global scale and perspective—international networking on the example of bioindication and biomonitoring (B&B technologies)

Living or formerly living organisms are being used to obtain information on the quality of the general health status of our environment by bioindication and biomonitoring methods for many decades. Thus, different roads toward this common scientific goal were developed by a lot of different international research groups. Global cooperation in between various scientific teams throughout the world has produced common ideas, scientific definitions, and highly innovative results of this extremely attractive working field. The transdisciplinary approach of different and multifaceted scientific areas—starting from biology, analytical chemistry, via health physics, up to social and economic issues—have surpassed mental barriers of individual scientists, so that “production” of straightforward common results related to the influence of material and immaterial environmental factors to the well-being of organisms and human life has now reached the forefront of international thinking. For the further sustainable development of our common scientific “hobby” of bioindication and biomonitoring, highest personal energy has to be given by us, being teachers to our students and to convince strategically decision makers as politicians to invest (financially) into the development of education and research of this innovative technique. Young people have to be intensively convinced on the “meaning” of our scientific doing, e.g., by extended forms of education. One example of multilingual education of students on a global scale and perspective is given here, which we started about 3 years ago.     

Influence of environment on insulin sensitivity

Genetic and environmental factors influence insulin sensitivity (IS) during one's lifetime. Actually, uterine environment may affect IS at birth and later in life. In particular, various exogenous toxic substances, coupled to a genetic predisposition, may remarkably influence the regulation of the hypothalamus–hypophysis–adrenal gland axis, and the production or the activity of insulin, cerebral incretins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and placental hormones. Owing to this reaction against environmental injuries, fetal growth and endocrine system development may be impaired, leading to low or large birth weight, or prematurity. Reduced growth in early life has been related to insulin resistance, which can be silent for years and evident in predisposed adults. The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity associated with sedentary lifestyle patterns and inadequate dieting behaviors in children and adolescents has rapidly increased during the last decade.Recent evidences suggest that the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-? (PPAR-?) gene and the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I/D gene polymorphism combined with environmental factors, such as phthalates interfering with the post receptorial action of insulin, alter insulin-sensible tissues. Therefore, IS, deriving from a complex interaction between genotype and environment, may change during life and depends on previous metabolic control, which is a sort of metabolic memory. The goal for the future is preventing the complications associated with impaired IS through the control of exogenous factors and the use of drugs selectively effective on its pathogenesis.     

Heavy metals concentrations in zooplankton and suspended particulate matter in a southwestern Atlantic temperate estuary (Argentina)

The present work includes part of the first studies of metals concentrations in the zooplankton from a heavily industrialized estuary of Argentina, the Bahía Blanca estuary. Cd, Cu, and Pb concentrations in the zooplankton (macro- and mesozooplankton) and the suspended particulate matter were measured at stations with different degree of pollution. Physicochemical variables and zooplankton composition and abundance were also analyzed. Thus, the aim of the present work was to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals in these two different fractions, and the possible relation among them due to their importance in the biogeochemical cycles of marine environments. Samplings were carried out during a year, from March 2005 to April 2006, every 2 months, at stations located near chemical and petrochemical industries, stations far from these points and one station in an intermediate location. In the mesozooplankton, the mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Pb were 3.63?±?1.46, 34.46?±?5.40, and 11.54?±?3.04 μg?g^?1 dry weight (d.w.) respectively, while in the macrozooplankton, 3.20?±?2.28, 21.86?±?4.79, and 8.36?±?1.85 μg?g^?1 d.w. On the other hand, particulate Cd, Cu, and Pb presented a mean concentration of 3.33?±?1.22, 12.75?±?2.67, and 12.53?±?3.20 μg?g^?1 d.w., respectively. Metals’ levels in both the SPM and zooplankton fluctuated throughout the study time and were relatively high in the particulate phase especially for Cu and Pb. Moreover, zooplankton accumulated important concentrations of the three metals. The sources of them are probably the discharges of the industries and domestic sewages located near the estuary.     

Tissue distribution of Cd,Cu, Zn,Ni, Cr,Pb and Hg in striated heron,Butorides striatus (Aves: Ardeidae), in a fluvial ecosystem

In this study, the striated heron (Butorides striatus), a species that reproduces in the Middle Paraná River floodplain, was examined for lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, nickel, mercury and copper concentrations, using liver, kidney, muscle, vertebra and feathers. The results showed low exposure to chromium because all tissue samples had concentrations below the limit of detection. Similar results were obtained for nickel and lead, with the exception of vertebra. This might be associated with either long-term exposure to these metals, or it may be that both nesting and wintering areas are non-polluted. Zinc and copper, both essential metals, were found in all tissues and their concentrations were within the ranges reported in the literature. Mercury was also found in all tissues, but at very low concentrations and even at concentrations below those that produce negative effects in several species of birds (e.g. reproductive success, food intake). Studies of this type are needed to interpret the role of organisms within environments impacted by different human activities.     

Above- and belowground biomass and nutrient pools of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) in a South American salt marsh

In order to examine the role of position in the tidal range on biomass production and nutrient pools in Spartina alterniflora in an Argentinian estuary, we estimated productivity, the concentration of C, N and P in tissues and pools (concentration×biomass) of these elements in low (LM) and high (HM) zones. Aboveground biomass of S. alterniflora was higher in HM than in LM. Aboveground primary productivity was 106 and 439 g dry wt m^?2 year^?1 in LM and HM, respectively. Belowground biomass was similar in LM and HM. Belowground primary productivity was 526 and 744 g dry wt m^?2 year^?1 for LM and HM, respectively. Nutrient pools were higher in HM than in LM. Biomass and productivity values were low, which makes nutrient pools low. The lower values of the parameters analysed in LM than in HM indicate that position in the tidal range is an important factor in this system, possibly due to the effect of flooding. Moreover, this pattern is opposite to the general one observed in the northern hemisphere, meaning that studying marshes from different environments is worth doing. Because pools were higher in HM, this zone would be more important for nutrient input to the estuary.     

Multi-year monitoring of estuarine sediments as ultimate sink for DDT, HCH, and other organochlorinated pesticides in Argentina

Forty-nine superficial sediment samples used in this study were collected from eight sites in the Bahia Blanca Estuary, located in the Buenos Aires Province southwest, Argentina, in a period between April 2005 and March 2009, to assess the concentration levels, spatial and seasonal distribution, and putative input sources of 18 selected organochlorine pesticides (OCs), following UNEP-IAEA procedures. Average concentration levels in sediments ranged between 3.54 and 63.79 ng g^???1, d.w. (mean = 15.99 ng g^???1, d.w.), for ??OCs, and from nondetectable to 8.03 ng g^???1, d.w. (mean = 2.16 ng g^???1, d.w.), and from nondetectable to 3.20 ng g^???1 (mean = 0.97 ng g^???1, d.w.) for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), respectively. Principal component analysis allowed the classification of sampling sites according to the main OCs inputs over the estuary. In comparison to other worldwide locations and to the world coastal sediment concentrations range, sediment DDTs and HCHs levels were in the low range; on the opposite, ??OCs average was in the medium range. OCs seasonal distribution was found to be highly correlated with the precipitations seasonality and sowing seasons in the adjacent agriculture fields. In addition, an ecotoxicological risk assessment pointed industrial and agriculture catchment zones with intermediate probability of adverse effects to biota, while the city sewage outfall was classified with none indication of an immediate threat. Data indicated that the estuary sediments were functioning as a sink for persistent OC pesticides (either in use or banned), however, it was found a declining trend on their environmental burden.     

Presence, distribution, and origins of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments from Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina

This paper is the first comprehensive survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal sediments in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, and provides useful information on their levels of concentration, composition, and sources of these pollutants. The total concentrations of PAHs ranged from 15 to 10,260 ng g^???1. The highest contents (mean 3,315 ng g^???1) of total PAHs in marine sediments were found in the inner channels of the estuary, while the lower ones (204 ng g^???1) belong to samples collected far away from contamination sources. The global average recorded in this study (1,500 ng g^???1) indicates that the studied area lies within the referenced category of industrialized coastal zones under chronic pollution. The diagenetic PAH contribution was found to be negligible at all sampled locations; however, the calculation of molecular ratios determined an overimposition of pyrolitic PAHs over the petrogenic input. Further, the use of principal components analysis (PCA) clearly separated ring group compounds and enabled the determination of pyrolitic/combustion PAHs dominancy.     

Cadmium,zinc and total mercury levels in the tissues of several fish species from La Plata river estuary,Argentina

A survey of the concentrations of heavy metals — cadmium, zinc and total mercury — in the tissues of fifteen fish species from Samborombón Bay, La Plata river estuary, in Argentina, has been carried out. Liver appeared to be the main organ accumulating cadmium and zinc, while both liver and muscle showed a similar ability for accumulating mercury. The bioaccumulation process was verified for the three metals analyzed, even though low concentrations have been determined. The biomagnification process of the metals studied was not verified in this environment. The highest metal concentrations were recorded in Mugil liza, and particulate matter and sediments — which are closely related to its trophic and ecological habits — seemed to be the main source of metals for this species. Both Micropogonias furnieri and Mugil liza were recognized as possible indicator species for future monitoring programmes for heavy metals in Samborombón Bay. Considering the present results, this area of La Plata river estuary is characterized as a non-polluted environment.Scientific Researcher from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Researches (CONICET), of Argentina     

Heavy metal concentrations in litteral sediments from the Beagle Channel,Tierra del Fuego,Argentina

For the first time the concentration of trace metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd and total Hg) of sediments from the coastal zone of the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, in Southern Argentina) were measured. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was utilized in order to determine the metal contents. The level of metals as observed in the sediments was recognized as the natural background, even though the use of normalization of lead, copper, and zinc to iron allowed the identification of the main sources of metal pollution for this environment. In order to develop future environmental monitoring programmes for the area of Ushuaia city and the Beagle Channel, the present results need to be considered.