Oligosarcus jenynsii as Biomonitor in La Brava Lagoon: A Battery of Biomarkers to Study Agricultural Pollution

LOMBARDERO LUCAS RODRIGO; VILLAGRAN DIANA; MENDIETA, JULIETA R.; MEDICI, SANDRA; PÉREZ DÉBORA JESABEL; ITURBURU FERNANDO GASTÓN; CRUPKIN ANDREA CARINA; MENONE MIRTA LUJÁN

Congreso; 11th SETAC Young Environmental Scientists Meeting.; 2022

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Chemical analysis could reveal the exposure to chemical pollution of biota inhabiting aquatic ecosystems, however to elucidate their potential impact is necessary to study the effects on biota. The aim of this study was to evaluate pollution by agriculture by means of oxidative stress and genotoxicity effects in Oligosarcus jenynsii. Two sampling events were carried out during one year; the first in spring 2020, and the second in summer 2021 (Southern hemisphere) during the maximum application of chemical compounds. Fish (n=20) and surface water (n=3) samples were collected in each sampling event. Activity of the enzymes Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were measured by spectrophotometry, as well as the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in brain, liver and gills and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level in liver and gills. Additionally, the frequencies of micronucleous (MN) and other nuclear abnormalities were quantified in erythrocytes using optical microscope. Water samples were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS to quantify current use pesticides. The results showed that CAT activity in liver and GST in the three organs studied were higher in summer than in spring; while MDA in gills was lower in summer than in spring. There was no differences between seasons in H2O2 or MN. In spring, several pesticides were found at low concentrations (chlorpyrifos, glyphosate and AMPA), and in summer only chlorpyrifos at a maximum concentration of 2.3 µg/L. The present study shows the utility of antioxidant enzymes as biomarkers associated to environmental levels of chlorpyrifos. It also indicates that including this type of research in a comprehensive management plan in this protected area could be useful