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

Bioindicators can be used to determine spatial and/or temporal variations of heavy metals in a certain coastal or marine environments. This study investigated the potential use of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata from two different locations in the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted ecosystem. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in soft tissues of male and female crabs were measured. In addition, concentrations of the three metals in eggs were compared with concentrations in female crabs. No geographical differences were found for any of the three metals, whereas sexual and seasonal differences were obtained for Zn and Ni, with the winter season posing lower concentrations. Moreover, the three metals were detectable in eggs and were lower than concentrations in female crabs (except for Zn). Finally, the usefulness of this species as a potential bioindicator of heavy-metal pollution within this estuarine ecosystem is discussed.

Fil: Simonetti, Pia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina

Fil: Botté, Sandra Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina

Fil: Fiori, Sandra Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia; Argentina

Fil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (i); Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad FASTA "Santo Tomas de Aquino"; Argentina