COASTAL POLLUTION MONITORING IN ARGENTINA USING IMPOSEX OCCURRENCE IN MARINE GASTROPODS

PENCHASZADEH, P. E.; BIGATTI, G.; AVERBUJ, A.; CLEDÓN, M.

Vigo

Congreso; II Congreso lnternacional de las Sociedades Malacologicas Europeas; 2002

Imposex is a widespread phenomenon in marine gastropods and more than 120species are up to date recorded. Its "occurrence is explained by the presence of TBT(tributyltin) from antifouling paints, and the presence is associated with heavy marinetraffic. .Concentrations of about 0.5 ng/I can induce imposex in meso and neogastropoda.Imposex was.demonstrated for four snails from the SW Atlantic coast. Two near theLocality of Mar del Plata (Buenos Aires Province) and two in Puerto Modryn (Patogonia).Buccinonopsmonilit er and Adelomelon_brasi/iana were studied in Mar del Plata, with animposex percentage of 85.7 for the first and between O and 100 % for the second. InPatagonion species, 8uccinanops g/obulosus registered 100/0 of imposex, andOdontocymbio/a magellanica registered between 35/0 ond 100/0 imposex depending onthe zone; in zones with heaviest marine traffic the percentage was higher. AII theobservations were confirmed by histological sections observed under the micrcscope.