Environmental quality assessment by multiple biogeochemical indicators of an intertidal flat under anthropogenic influence from the southwest of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

BUZZI NATALIA SOL; FERNANDEZ ELEONORA; FERNÁNDEZ SEVERINI MELISA DAIANA; TRUCHET, DANIELA MARÍA; GILABERT AZUL SABINA; VILLAGRAN DIANA MARIEL; SPETTER CARLA VANESA

Environmental Earth Sciences

Springer

Año: 2021

1866-6280

Chemical measures combined with biological data (biomarkers) are recommended inmonitoring programs of marine environments. In the present research, the use ofmultiples biogeochemical indicators allowed interrelating different environmentalmeasurements to deepen the knowledge of the quality/status of the intertidal flat fromPuerto Rosales (Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina) subjected to anthropogenicpressure. The sediments from this site presented a eutrophic status and high organicmatter concentration with high nutritional value for the benthic community. TheTPR/TCH ratio (~ 10) would evidence the untreated sewage discharge contribution andincrements in protein content due to the complexation of nitrogen during phytodetritusaccumulation and degradation. Trace metals levels in the fine sediments were lowerthan those recommended by international guides for uncontaminated sites. In thesediments, except Cu, all metals analyzed were rarely associated with adverse biological effects. Finally, metallothioneins levels in the burrowing crab Neohelicegranulata were lower than those found in the literature and significantly higher infemales than in males. Even though the different analyses and indices performedindicate that this intertidal flat is in good environmental condition, the wastewaterdischarge influenced it. Thus, it is advisable to continue with this kind of study byapplying multi-combined proxies in this and other impacted tidal flats.