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.

Sources and distribution of aliphatic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in coastal sediments from the Ushuaia Bay (Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, Argentina).

The environmental quality of Ushuaia Bay, located at the southernmost tip of South America, is affected by the anthropogenic pressure of Ushuaia city. In this study, levels and sources of hydrocarbons in coastal sediments were assessed. Aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions ranged between 5.

Heavy metal concentrations and biomarkers of oxidative stress in native mussels (Mytilus edulis chilensis) from Beagle Channel coast (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of oxidative stress biomarkers of pollution in native mussels Mytilus edulis chilensis from the Beagle Channel. Spatial and seasonal variations of catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and lipid peroxidation in gills and digestive gland were analyzed in relation to environmental parameters, heavy metals in sediment and in tissue. Four sites with anthropogenic impact and a control site were selected and monitored during the four seasons of 2007.

Polynuclear aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons in mussels from the coastal zone of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

Mussels (Mytilus edulis chilensis) were collected from 12 coastal locations in Ushuaia Bay, Argentina, and the surrounding area in October 1999 and again in October 2003. Concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and selected chlorinated pesticides were determined to assess the impact of a fast-growing population in the area. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 2.

Heavy metals monitoring in the southernmost mussel farm of the world (Beagle Channel, Argentina).

Water quality surrounding the mussel farm of Mytilus edulis chilensis at Brown Bay (Beagle Channel) was evaluated. The levels of five heavy metals in sediment and in gill and digestive gland of mussels were examined to consider potential risks to human health. Cd showed the highest enrichment factor in relation to its level in Earth crust (3.

Assessment of land influence on a high-latitude marine coastal system: Tierra del Fuego, southernmost Argentina.

The study deals with the determination of physico-chemical parameters, inorganic nutrients, particulate organic matter, and photosynthetic pigments on a monthly basis during an annual cycle from nine sampling sites of the coastal zone of a high-latitude ecosystem (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). Nitrites and phosphates concentrations were similar to other systems of the south Atlantic coast (median, 0.30 and 1.

Biomarkers and heavy metal bioaccumulation in mussels transplanted to coastal waters of the Beagle Channel.

Mussels coming from a mussel farm at Brown Bay (Beagle Channel) were transplanted to four sites inside Ushuaia Bay for 2 and 4 weeks. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of coastal waters of Ushuaia Bay by measuring catalase activity, lipid peroxidation, total lipid content, bioaccumulation of heavy metals and condition index in transplanted mussel Mytilus edulis chilensis. Biomarkers except condition index showed significant differences among exposure times as well as among tissues.

Heavy metal toxicity in Exosphaeroma gigas (Crustacea, Isopoda) from the coastal zone of Beagle Channel.

Acute toxicity of copper, cadmium, and zinc on isopod Exosphaeroma gigas was evaluated at 20 per thousand and 30 per thousand salinity. Six concentrations were assayed to estimate effective concentration of the toxicant that affects 50% of tested animal (EC50), while physiological responses and bioaccumulation were determined at 0.42 and 1.

Effects of starvation on oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and biochemical composition of the hepatopancreas on adult males of the False Southern King crab Paralomis granulosa (Crustacea, Decapoda).

Adults of the False Southern King crab, Paralomis granulosa, were starved between 0 and 12 days to evaluate the impact of fasting on the oxygen consumption, nitrogen excretion, O/N ratio and changes on biochemical composition of the hepatopancreas. During the experiment, no mortalities were recorded; physiological changes were detected after 6 days of fasting with an increase of nitrogen excretion (p<0.05).