The Palaemon argentinus shrimp as a potential indicator of water quality: characterization of a reference site and physiological state of the organism

ETCHEVERRY, LEDA; FERNANDO SPACCESI; FAJARDO GONZÁLEZ, LUISA; CAPPELLETTI NATALIA; LAVARIAS, SABRINA MARÍA LUISA

Montevideo

Congreso; SETAC Latin America 15th Biennial Meeting 2023; 2023

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)

Palaemon argentinus is a representative of the communities in the Pampean streams and has been proposed as an indicator of environmental quality and a model for ecotoxicological studies. The objective of this work was to characterize the collection site and the physiological status of P. argentinus. Adult shrimps were collected from a freshwater stream located in the Magdalena district, Buenos Aires province (35°7'44.50" S, 57°41'51.95" W), frequently used as a reference site. To contextualize the sampling site, information on soil type (1:50,000 soil maps), coverage and available use (image classification) from the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) was contrasted. Physicochemical parameters of the water were also recorded in situ, and sediment samples were taken for granulometric analysis, organic matter and pesticide, hydrocarbon (HC), and metal content. For the biochemical analyses, the hepatopancreas and the muscle of the shrimps were dissected after collection. Total protein content (TP), protein carbonyls, and triacylglycerides (TAG) were determined in the hepatopancreas, as well as the activities of the enzymes catalase and glutathione S-transferase. In muscle, TP, glycogen, lactate, TAG, and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme were determined. In general, it was observed that there was no extensive agricultural activity in the area. HC analysis showed a predominance of organic matter derived from higher plants, and only trace concentrations (