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Environmental quality assessment by multiple biogeochemical indicators of an intertidal flat under anthropogenic influence from the southwest of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

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Abstract

Chemical measures combined with biological data (biomarkers) are recommended in monitoring programs of marine environments. In the present research, the use of multiples biogeochemical indicators allowed interrelating different environmental measurements to deepen the knowledge of the quality/status of the intertidal flat from Puerto Rosales (Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina) subjected to anthropogenic pressure. The sediments from this site presented a eutrophic status and high organic matter concentration with high nutritional value for the benthic community. The TPR/TCH ratio (~ 10) would evidence the untreated sewage discharge contribution and increments in protein content due to the complexation of nitrogen during phytodetritus accumulation and degradation. Trace metals levels in the fine sediments were lower than those recommended by international guides for uncontaminated sites. In the sediments, except Cu, all metals analyzed were rarely associated with adverse biological effects. Finally, metallothioneins levels in the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata were lower than those found in the literature and significantly higher in females than in males. Even though the different analyses and indices performed indicate that this intertidal flat is in good environmental condition, the wastewater discharge influenced it. Thus, it is advisable to continue with this kind of study by applying multi-combined proxies in this and other impacted tidal flats.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the organizing committee of V RAGSU (Reunión Argentina de Geoquímica de la Superficie); part of this work was presented at the congress. We thank to P. Simonetti, F. García and J. Arlenghi for assistance in the laboratory and in the field, to W. Melo for providing the map and collaborating with figures elaboration and to A. Vitale for providing the environmental parameters. We also thank the IADO executive directors and Chemical Oceanography Area's staff. This research was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT; PICT 2012-1383 and PICT 2012-2794, Granted Dr. N. S. Buzzi and Dr. C. V. Spetter, respectively) and the Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS, PGI 24/Q109, also granted to C. V. Spetter and PGI 24/B299 granted to N. S. Buzzi)—all from Argentina.

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  1. Natalia S. Buzzi and Eleonora M. Fernández contributed equally to this manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Natalia S. Buzzi, Eleonora M. Fernández, Melisa D. Fernández Severini, Daniela M. Truchet, Azul S. Gilabert, Diana M. Villagran & Carla V. Spetter

  2. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Natalia S. Buzzi & Daniela M. Truchet

  3. Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Eleonora M. Fernández & Carla V. Spetter

  4. Departamento de Geografía y Turismo, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Bahía Blanca, Argentina

    Azul S. Gilabert

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Buzzi, N.S., Fernández, E.M., Fernández Severini, M.D. et al. Environmental quality assessment by multiple biogeochemical indicators of an intertidal flat under anthropogenic influence from the southwest of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Environ Earth Sci 80, 256 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09438-4

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