Burrowing crab (Neohelice granulata) as a potential bioindicator of heavy metals in the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina

SIMONETTI, P.; BOTTÉ, S.E.; FIORI, S.; MARCOVECCHIO, J.E.

ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2013 vol. 64 p. 110 - 118

0090-4341

Bioindicators can be used to determine spatial and/or temporal variations of heavy metals in a certain coastal or marine environment. This paper analyzes the potential use of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata from two different locations in the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted ecosystem. For this porpoise levels of Zinc, Nickel and Lead in soft tissues of males and females were measured. Besides, levels of the three metals in eggs were compared with levels in females. No significant differences between sexes and sites were found for none of the three metals; meanwhile, a significant seasonality was obtained for Zn and Ni, being, in both cases, winter the season with lower concentrations. Moreover the three metals were detectable in eggs and were lower than levels in females (except for Zn). Finally, the usefulness of this species as a potential bioindicator of heavy metal pollution within this estuarine ecosystem is discussed.