IFEG   20353
INSTITUTO DE FISICA ENRIQUE GAVIOLA
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Application of Synchrotron technology to determine the elemental composition of Argentina Patagonian and Antarctic species in arsenic contaminated environments
Autor/es:
LAMELA, P.A.; MARDIROSIAN, M.N.; PEREZ, R.D.; SOTOMAYOR, V.; VODOPIVEZ, C.; NAVONI J.A.; C.A. PÉREZ; CURTOSI, A.; VENTURINO, A.; BONGIOVANNI G. A.
Revista:
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
Editorial:
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Referencias:
Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2012
ISSN:
0883-2927
Resumen:
Arsenic is an abundant toxic metalloid in our environment. It is transported by water, becoming the primary source of As contamination for plants and animals, including humans. About 160 million people and many other species throughout the world are exposed to As-contaminated groundwater and superficial water with concentration above 0.010 mg/L. Although arsenic occurrence and their adverse health effects are well known in Central and North Argentina, data regarding these aspects below the Colorado River (where Argentinian Patagonia starts) are scarce. Furthermore, studies in wild species are practically inexistent. In this study, arsenic contamination in North Patagonia and Antarctica was determined and then, exposed animal and plants were collected for elemental composition analysis. Arsenic bioaccumulation, as well as elemental composition was measured in thirty organisms by Xray Fluorescence Spectrometry in grazing incidence geometry (SR-TXRF) at the D09B-XRF beamline from the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). We found up to 250 μg/L As in water near Copahue volcano, while bioaccumulation was only found in animals from aquatic ecosystems in Patagonia and Antarctica. In an ecological context, Arsenic accumulation in these organisms may have important implications since they are relevant components of the food chain. Additionally, results from this study indicate that SR-TXRF technique would be a powerful tool for the assessment of As transfer in ecosystems.