Can environmental factors increase oxidative responses in fish exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)?

Relations among polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and glutathione S-transferase activity), and the possible influence of environmental factors (temperature, pH, and salinity) were assessed in situ for specimens of Ramnogaster arcuata, a native estuarine fish. PAH levels found in the muscular tissue of R. arcuata ranged from 0.

Spatial distribution and characteristics of plastic pollution in the salt marshes of Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

This study delves into the magnitude and attributes of plastic pollution in the salt marshes of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina, with a specific focus on its spatial distribution. The investigation included the evaluation of microplastics (1-5 mm), mesoplastics (5-25 mm) and macroplastics (25-100 mm), discovering elevated levels along the high salt marsh strandline compared to low salt marsh and mudflat areas. Notably, the abundance of plastic reached staggering levels, reaching up to 20,060 items/m in the vicinity of an illegal dumpsite.

Short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins in fish from an anthropized south-western Atlantic estuary, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are synthetic organic compounds of growing environmental and social concern. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) were listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in 2017. Further, in 2021, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) were proposed to be listed as POPs.

Occurrence, behavior and the associated health risk of organochlorine pesticides in sediments and fish from Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were assessed for their occurrence, behavior and the associated human health and ecological risks in four fish species (Micropogonias furnieri, Cynoscion guatucupa, Mustelus schmitti, and Ramnogaster arcuata) and sediments from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina, an important coastal environment of South America. Total OCPs values ranged from 0.86 to 6.

Synthetic microfibers and tyre wear particles pollution in aquatic systems: Relevance and mitigation strategies.

Evidence shows that the majority of aquatic field microplastics (MPs) could be microfibers (MFs) which can be originated directly from massive sources such as textile production and shedding from garments, agricultural textiles and clothes washing. In addition, wear and tear of tyres (TRWPs) emerges as a stealthy major source of micro and nanoplastics, commonly under-sampled/detected in the field. In order to compile the current knowledge in regards to these two major MPs sources, concentrations of concern in aquatic environments, their distribution, bulk emission rates and water mitigation strategies were systematically reviewed.

Seasonal distribution pattern and bioaccumulation of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in four bioindicator coastal fishes of Argentina.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants of global concern in coastal environments. They have a wide range of biological toxicity and due to their inherent properties, can easily bioaccumulate in organisms and concentrate in the environment. This work evaluated, in an integrated way, the seasonal PAH distribution patterns in sediments and four bioindicators fish species in a highly impacted estuary of Argentina; besides, their bioaccumulation patterns were assessed for the first time as indicator of ecological risk.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in coastal wetlands: A review of their occurrences, toxic effects, and biogeochemical cycling.

Coastal wetlands, such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, are highly threatened by increasing anthropic pressures, including chemical pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have attracted attention in these particularly vulnerable ecosystems, due to their bioaccumulative, pervasive, and ecotoxic behavior. This article reviews and summarizes available information regarding current levels, biogeochemical cycling, and effects of POPs on coastal wetlands.

Water, sediments and fishes: First multi compartment assessment of metal pollution in a coastal environment from the SW Atlantic.

This is an integrated assessment of the distribution of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in dissolved water, sediments and muscle fish tissues (Cynoscion guatucupa, Micropogonias furnieri, Mustelus schmitti and Ramnogaster arcuata) from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. Within the water fraction (μg L), Hg and Pb concentrations ranged from below the limit of detection ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Plastic Impacts in Argentina: a Critical Research Review Contributing to the Global Knowledge.

Purpose Of Review: Plastic pollution research has experienced exponential growth in the last decade; however, Argentina concentrates more than 70% of their research in the last 4 years. This review compiles regional research on plastic pollution in water, soil, sediment, air and organisms in Argentina. It discusses current sampling, quantification, and plastics identification methodologies while analyzing levels, gaps, and opportunities.

Distribution of Butyltin Compounds in the Coastal Environment of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

This study evaluates for the first time the distribution and accumulation of butyltin compounds (BTs) in different compartments such as seawater, sediments, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii) in the Bahía Blanca estuary. The samples were collected from six sampling sites with different anthropogenic impacts. A better visualization and interpretation of data was achieved using chemometric tools (Tucker4 model), which made it possible to reveal the main relationships among the variables.

Assessing threats, regulations, and strategies to abate plastic pollution in LAC beaches during COVID-19 pandemic.

Plastic use and production have dramatically increased globally over the past 65 years with the improvement of life quality by the daily use of plastic products. Still, around 50% of the plastic produced is disposable products that generate substantial waste. Several reports pointed out the adverse effects of plastic litter in coastal environments in recent years, emphasizing single-use plastics (SUP).

Integrated biomarker response in Mytilus chilensis exposed to untreated urban discharges along the coast of Ushuaia Bay (Beagle Channel, Argentina).

The short-term effects of coastal untreated effluents from Ushuaia Bay, Beagle Channel, on the biochemical and physiological biomarkers of Mytilus chilensis were assessed. An integrated biomarker response (IBR) index was calculated as a helpful tool to represent the general stress of the experimental organisms. Cultured mussels were exposed during 96 h to three coastal sites impacted by sewage effluents.

Integrative assessment of the ecological risk of heavy metals in a South American estuary under human pressures.

Biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution through the use of biomarkers could be a difficult task since the organisms' physiological changes could shift regarding natural factors (i.e., the season of the year) and due to the anthropogenic pressures of the environment.

First evidence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from a marine protected area within Argentinean Continental Shelf.

This study evaluated for the first time, the distribution, sources, and ecological risk assessment of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments collected along the northern Patagonian shelf in the Argentine Sea -included in a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Total concentration of the PAHs varied from 19.47 to 183.

First approaches to the depuration process of trace metals in the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata from a temperate wetland in South America: Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina.

Trace metal contamination is among the major concerns of stakeholders due to its potential adverse effects on biota and humans, even at low concentrations. Few studies have recently focused on the ability of organisms to depurate trace metals from different tissues. Therefore, we carried out this study to evaluate the bioconcentration of trace metals (Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu) and the depuration process of these pollutants in two tissues (soft tissue and carapace) in an estuarine benthic crab model, Neohelice granulata.

Uptake and detoxification of trace metals in estuarine crabs: insights into the role of metallothioneins.

The detoxification process of trace metals in the estuarine burrowing crab Neohelice granulata, after previously being exposed to anthropogenic pressures in the field, is described for the first time. The objectives of this study were (a) to assess the metal content (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr, Fe) in the sediments and the uptake of these elements in the hepatopancreas of N. granulata; (b) to quantify trace metal concentrations in the hepatopancreas before and after the detoxification experiment; and (c) to relate this information to metallothionein (MT) induction or reversibility.

Spatial Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Residual Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in South American Marine Environments.

Purpose Of Review: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been intensely used and produced in South America. Although they were banned before the year 2000 (excepting endosulfan, which has been recently banned in several countries), OCPs remain detectable in marine environments of this continent, sometimes at risky levels for biota. This manuscript summarizes studies on OCP levels in the air, water, sediment, bivalves, fish, and marine mammals of the South American coasts and open waters over the last 20 years, tackling their spatial distribution and analyzing their associated ecotoxicological risk.

Characterization of atmospheric and soil polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and evaluation of air-soil relationship in the Southwest of Buenos Aires province (Argentina).

Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) proposed by the US EPA as priority were analyzed in air and soil samples in the Southwest of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to study the levels, distribution, sources and fugacity ratios of PAHs, evaluating the relationship between them. For this, 10 passive air samplers (XAD-2® resin) were deployed along the area and replaced three-monthly from January to December 2015. PAHs were analyzed through gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Strategies for cadmium detoxification in the white shrimp Palaemon argentinus from clean and polluted field locations.

In this study, we investigated the metal handling capacity of non-tolerant and tolerant populations of Palaemon argentinus to cadmium (Cd), through evaluating of the main mechanisms of metal detoxification, metallothioneins (MT) and metal-rich granules (MRG), to probe that the presence of MRG in the second population is responsible of that condition. The tolerant population were exposed to 3.06 and 12.

Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Fish from the Bahía Blanca Estuary in Argentina, South America.

The aim of this study was to assess - for the first time - the occurrence and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of a marine commercial fish species (Micropogonias furnieri) from the Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE) in Argentina, and to evaluate fish potential associated stress. In order to do this, juveniles were sampled using artisanal fishing arts at two sampling locations. Basic measurements of individual fish were taken (total length, total weight, weight of the liver) and GITs were subsequently removed, digested with 30% HO for 5 days at 60°C, filtered on Whatman paper and then dried.

Mercury cycling and bioaccumulation in a changing coastal system: From water to aquatic organisms.

This study evaluated -for the first time- the occurrence and distribution of total Hg in abiotic (dissolved and particulate water fractions) and biotic (gills and muscle tissues of six commercial fish species) compartments within a South American coastal environment with anthropogenic pressure. This study dealt with environmental issues on developing countries which, as they are in continuous growth, face the highest rate of coastal transformation. Total Hg content was determined by acid digestion and measured using a cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Preliminary studies about the role of physicochemical parameters on the organotin compound dynamic in a South American estuary (Bahía Blanca, Argentina).

This work provides a preliminary study of the destination, mobility, and availability of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) in contaminated sediments and water column within Puerto Rosales Port, located in the middle zone of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina). Therefore, this study presents the first comprehensive results of the role of several physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, Eh, salinity, turbidity, organic matter, chlorophyll, and macronutrients) in behavior of organotin compounds (OTCs) in a marine-coastal ecosystem. The samples were collected seasonally in May, August, and November during 2014.

Spatiotemporal distribution of organotin compounds in the coastal water of the Bahía Blanca estuary (Argentina).

Several areas within the Bahía Blanca estuary (BBE), with different maritime traffic intensity, were studied in order to confirm the presence and assess the distribution of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) in the water column. The organotin compounds (OTCs) were determined in the water samples-taken in summer, autumn, winter, and spring of 2014-by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry after liquid-liquid extraction with hexane. The incidence of TBT throughout the whole sampling period indicated a continuous presence of this compound to the study area.

Long-term changes on estuarine ciliates linked with modifications on wind patterns and water turbidity.

Planktonic ciliates constitute a fundamental component among microzooplankton and play a prominent role in carbon transport at the base of marine food webs. How these organisms respond to shifting environmental regimes is unclear and constitutes a current challenge under global ocean changes. Here we examine a multiannual field survey covering 25 years in the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina), a shallow, flood-plain system dominated by wind and tidal energy.

Heavy metal bioconcentration factors in the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata of a temperate ecosystem in South America: Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina.

An extensive population of the burrowing crab, Neohelice granulata, inhabits the intertidal areas of the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted temperate ecosystem located to the southwest of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In order to determine the metal-accumulating ability of this species, concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Fe in soft tissues of adult specimens were measured. Subsequently, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of all heavy metals were determined using levels of concentrations previously obtained in intertidal sediments.