Bioaccumulation of heavy metal and trace elements by Potamogeton pusillus as bioindicator of aquatic pollution?.

. MAGDALENA V. MONFERRÁN, MARÍA L. PIGNATA AND DANIEL A. WUNDERLIN.

Berlin

Congreso; VI SETAC Word Congress, SETAC Europe 22nd Annual meeting.; 2012

Suquía River is the main source of drinking water for the city of Cordoba-Argentina. In recent times, the use of agrochemicals in the basin, rollover of heavy metals and poorly treated domestic waste resulted in increased pollution of its waters. The aim of this study was to evaluate concentrations of heavy metals and other trace elements in the aquatic macrophyte Potamogeton pusillus, matching this information with the corresponding to water and sediment samples from the Suquía River basin. So far, we looked to assess whether this aquatic macrophyte reflects different pollution degrees, generated by anthropogenic pollution. Potamogeton pusillus is a native species widely distributed throughout the basin, which was selected considering its favorable characteristics for use as a bioindicator (big quantity, widely distribution, easy to harvest and maintain in the laboratory). Plants were collected during the wet season at two stations along the Suquía River basin, having different pollution degrees and anthropogenic impacts. One area is located upstream from the main city (Córdoba). This first area has low population impact, with less pollution in according to previous studies. The second monitoring station is located downstream from Córdoba city. This second area is primarily affected by the input of pollutants from Córdoba sewage, in addition to massive urbanization and intensive agriculture downstream from the main city. Measured elements include Ag, Al, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, U, V, As, B, Be, Fe, Se, Zn, Ca, Hg, Pd, Pt, Au, Hf, Y, U, Yb, Tm, Th, Tb, Sm, Pr, Nd, Lu, La, Ho, Gd, Eu, Er, Dy and Ce. Considering studied metals in both water and sediments, it can be seen that most of them have lower concentrations upstream from Córdoba city. Some elements (B, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni. Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Ba, Ce, Sb, Sn, Pd, Zn, Cu, Hg, Rh and Pb) have significant higher values in water and sediments downstream from Córdoba sewage discharge. Chemometrics demonstrated good matching between heavy metal and trace elements concentrations found in water and sediment with those observed in aquatic plants collected at each monitoring site, indicating the follow up of pollutants from both water and sediment to the plant. So far, we propose the use of Potamogeton pusillus as a good bioindicator of aquatic pollution.