Spatio-temporal trends and body size differences of OCPs and PCBs in Laeonereis culveri (Polychaeta: Nereididae) from Southwest Atlantic estuaries

DÍAZ-JARAMILLO, M.; LAITANO, M.V.; GONZALEZ, M.; MIGLIORANZA, K.S.B.

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2018 vol. 136 p. 107 - 113

0025-326X

Southwest Atlantic (SWA) estuaries have been historically impacted by industrial and agricultural activities thatrepresent an important source of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).Intraspecific differences in OCPs and PCBs levels were evaluated in the benthic polychaete Laeonereis culveri fromSWA estuaries (Samborombón; Mar Chiquita; Quequén Grande and Bahía Blanca) at different spatio-temporalscales. Regarding inter- and intra-estuarine spatial comparisons polychaetes showed significant differences inOCPs/PCBs levels (p < 0.05) being DDTs, endosulfan, penta- and hexa-CBs homologues the most representativecompounds. Intra-estuarine comparisons also showed significant differences in terms of seasonality and bodysize (p < 0.05). OCPs/PCBs concentrations were negatively correlated with animal weight, but this covariablewas not relevant on differences observed. OCPs/PCBs levels in polychaetes showed strong relationships withthose of sediments, being suitable for estuarine biomonitoring studies. Seasonal and body-size differences foundin OCPs and PCBs levels in tissues reveal the importance of these factors for intra-estuarine monitoring.