Multimatrix measurement of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Mar Chiquita, a continental saline shallow lake.

BALLESTEROS, M.L.; MIGLIORANZA, K.; GONZALEZ, M.; FILLMANN, G.; WUNDERLIN, D. A.; BISTONI, M.A.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 490 p. 73 - 80

0048-9697

RAMSAR sites are determined by specific characteristics of theenvironment in terms of ecological productivity as well services forhuman development, but they are also one of the most threatenedecosystems. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the dynamicof Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in different biotic and abioticmatrixes of the RAMSAR site (wetlands with international importance), MarChiquita Lake. Sampling was performed according to land use(agricultural, urban, and industrial) at two stations: Laguna del Plataand Campo Mare. POPs were analyzed in superficial water (Sw), suspendedparticulate material (SPM), bottom sediment (Bs) and fish tissues(Odontesthes bonariensis). Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs),polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) were analyzed by GC-ECD. HCHs, Endosulfans, DDTs, PCBs and PBDEswere found in all matrixes at both stations. The high persistence andtransport processes are responsible for the occurrence of HCHs, DDTs andPCBs in Bs, SPM and fish tissues, even many years after theirprohibition. PBDEs showed lower levels according to the scarcity ofpunctual sources in the area. Endosulfan showed variable amounts inagreement with application periods since this pesticide was used until afew years ago in this area. Finally, PCB levels overpassed the acceptabledaily intake for human consumption being a risk for human health Thus,the present report confirm the occurrence of POPs in Mar Chiquita lake,alerting on the contribution of agricultural and urban pollutants in aRAMSAR site. Current results also raise concerns on biomagnificationprocesses through the food web.