ANALYSIS OF STUCKENIA FILIFORMIS NATIVE AQUATIC PLANT TO ASSESS GRADIENTS OF HEAVY METALS POLLUTION IN SUQUÍA RIVER IN THE PROVINCE OF CÓRDOBA (ARGENTINA).

HARGUINTEGUY CA, ; GUDIÑO GL ; PIGNATA ML

Cope Town - South Africa

Congreso; 31º Congress of the International Limnological Society; 2010

International Society of Limnology

A bioaccumulation study was performed in Suquía river in the province of Córdoba (central area, Argentina), to ascertain the degree of heavy metals pollution. Good information to assess spatial gradients of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination was provided by analysing Stuckenia filiformis leaves and the surface sediments of rivers. This data was collected in February 2009 at nine sites in the littoral zone. The highest concentrations of the heavy metals were measured in sediments and plants from the site where a nearby plant power is located and in zones of industrial activity of Córdoba city. Significant correlations were found between sediment and plant element concentrations. S. filiformis may be useful species in biomonitoring studies due to its ability to accumulate heavy metals in the leaves. Given the absence of systematic water quality monitoring, heavy metals in plants, rather than in sediments, provide cost-effective means for assessing heavy metals accumulation in aquatic systems during plant life.