Assessment of trace metal accumulation in native mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii) from a South American temperate estuary

The present work provides the first results in heavy metal bioaccumulation in t he autochthonous mussel Brachidontes rodriguezii from the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina), one of the most important coastal environments of South America, subjected to different anthropogenic pressure. The study is based on the detection of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Fe in mussels ’ soft tissue and sediments ’ fine fraction by means of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spec- troscopy (ICP-OES), in order to analyze the potential relation- ship between both components of the aquatic system. Additionally, different indices are calculated with the purpose of obtaining detailed data. The heavy metal burden in mussels varied seasonally, showing a clearer pattern for the stations located in the internal area of the estuary. Metals exhibited maximum values in summer and to a lesser extent in winter, followed by a decrease during spring. Multiple international guideline assessment allowed classifying the area as moder- ately polluted, including a low range for Cd and medium for Cu and Pb. Moreover, the average detected levels were within the measured ranges in other coastal areas. Regarding human health, trace metal content in mussels met the national and international standards for safe consumption.

Fil: Buzzi, Natalia Sol. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Laboratorio de Química Biológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina

Fil: Oliva, Ana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina

Fil: Arias, Andres Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentina

Fil: Marcovecchio, Jorge Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional; Argentina. Universidad FASTA "Santo Tomas de Aquino"; Argentina