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

MARDIROSIAN, MARIANA N; PEREZ, CARLOS A; PEREZ, ROBERTO D; VENTURINO, ANDRéS; BONGIOVANNI, GUILLERMINA A.

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

Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) and the National Laboratory of Biosciences (LNBio)

As is a natural contaminant in many Argentinian aquifers and rivers, where different species and about 4 million people are exposed to arsenic concentrations above 10 ìg/L. Despite the influence that amphibians have on the flow of energy and nutrients in ecological systems, the role that amphibians play in transporting contaminants through food webs has received very little attention. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of As exposure on the concentrations of mayor elements as Fe, Cu, Zn, and Br, as well as As, in Argentinian toad (Rhinella arenarum) along development. Embryos were obtained by in vitro fertilization and were 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 the Brazilian the Synchrotron Light National Laboratory (LNLS) We found an altered concentrations of most elements and As in amphibian larvae (figure 1). These results suggest that R. arenarum larvae can serve as a critical link for trace element trophic transfer in contaminated areas. The application of total reflection X-ray fluorescence using synchrotron radiation as excitation source (SR-TXRF) can provide a valuable tool for monitoring As input into the aquatic ecosystems.