IDEA   23902
INSTITUTO DE DIVERSIDAD Y ECOLOGIA ANIMAL
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Using multiple biomarkers to evaluate the impact of exposure to contaminated sediment upon Chironomus tepperi larvae
Autor/es:
BALLESTEROS, M.L; LONG, S.; KELLAR, C.; GOLDING, L.,; GAGLIARDI, B.; BISTONI, M.A; MIGLIORANZA, K.S.B.; PETTIGROVE, V.
Lugar:
Buenos Aires
Reunión:
Congreso; IV Congreso Argentino SETAC, ?Armonizando esfuerzos científicos y política ambiental?.; 2012
Institución organizadora:
SETAC
Resumen:
Human activities are a threat to the ecological integrity of many aquatic ecosystems. It is often difficult to isolate the effects of pollutants from other causative factors, and to identify the primary pollutants causing ecosystem stress. Biomarkers can be used to demonstrate that chemicals have been taken up by organisms and exerted a biological effect. The study was undertaken at Lake Hawthorn in northwestern Victoria, Australia. Previous surveys showed that pesticides in the sediment were not dispersed homogeneously throughout the lake and were toxic to aquatic invertebrates . The aim of the study was to a) quantify the chemicals present within the lake and b) determine the effects of exposure to sediment-bound chemicals upon chironomid larvae by measuring a suite of biochemical biomarkers . The lake was divided into six sampling locations and between three and five sites selected at each location, where sediment and surface water was collected and a range of chemicals were measured (including metals and pesticides). Sediments were also assessed for effects on Chironomus tepperi using a 5 days laboratory-based bioassay. There were elevated concentrations of pesticides, copper and total petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment at an urban inlet drain within the lake. Biomarker analyses showed that chironomids are responding differently within the lake. Our results show that the pollutants present in Lake Hawthorn are toxic to aquatic life.