Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Br concentration in Argentinian toad (Rhinella arenarum) developed in As-contaminated medium by SR-TXRF

MARDIROSIAN M.; PÉREZ C.A.; PÉREZ R.D; VENTURINO A; BONGIOVANNI G.A.

Sam Pablo

Congreso; 21st International Congress on X-ray Optics and Microanalysis (ICXOM21); 2011

Brazilian Synchrotron Light Source

As is a natural contaminant in many Argentinian aquifers and river, where different species andabout 4 million people are exposed to arsenic concentrations above 10 μg/L. Despite theinfluence that amphibians have on the flow of energy and nutrients in ecological systems, therole that amphibians play in transporting contaminants through food webs has received verylittle attention. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of As exposure on theconcentrations of mayor elements as Fe, Cu, Zn, and Br, as well as As, in Argentinean toad(Rhinella arenarum) along development. Embryos were obtained by in vitro fertilization andwere incubated in Ringer solution contained 0 (control), 1 and 2 ppm As up to larval life stage.The elemental concentration in embryos and larvae extracts was determined by SR-TXRF at theBrazilian the Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sıncrotron,LNLS) We found an altered concentrations of most elements and As in amphibian larvae (figure1). These results suggest that R. arenarum larvae can serve as a critical link for trace elementtrophic transfer in contaminated areas. The application of total reflection X-ray fluorescenceusing synchrotron radiation as excitation source (SR-TXRF) can provide a valuable tool formonitoring As input into the aquatic ecosystems.