Butyltin and PAH Contamination of Mar del Plata Port (Argentina) Sediments and Their Influence on Adjacent Coastal Regions

Abstract

The distribution of butyltins (BTs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in surface sediments to assess how relevant is Mar del Plata port (Argentina) as a source of contamination to the surrounding environments. Within the port, TBT concentrations ranged from 24.2 to 150 ng Sn g(-1) and PAHs (Σ16) from 180 to 17,094 ng g(-1). At the surrounding beaches, PAHs were detected at low concentrations and TBT concentrations reached 10.9 ng Sn g(-1). Although those low levels indicate that the Port might not be an important source of contamination to the surrounding beaches, the very low TOC content and the coarse grain size of the beaches sediments could explain the sedimentary levels. The results show a reduction in TBT levels in Mar del Plata port after national and international use restrictions of TBT-based antifouling paints.

Two new nonindigenous isopods in the Southwestern Atlantic: Simultaneous assessment of population status and shipping transport vector

“…Water temperatures vary between 9.3 and 20.2°C. Industrial, sewage effluents, and an intense fishing activity have led into the formation of a polluted area characterized by high levels of organic matter, hydrocarbons, copper and butyltin residues, turbidity, low pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity (Laitano et al, 2015). Despite these conditions, artificial structures (e.g.…”

Are Mussels Always the Best Bioindicators? Comparative Study on Biochemical Responses of Three Marine Invertebrate Species to Chronic Port Pollution

“…Other characteristics which could affect biochemical responses like chlorophyll-a, particulate organic matter and wave energy among others, can be considered very similar between the study sites due to the proximity of them and the lack of sources of variation of such conditions (Nuñez On the other hand, the anthropic influences over the sampling sites are highly contrasting. While MDPP is located within a port, a highly boat transited zone in which chronic pollution is well reported, PC is located in a farther area off Mar del Plata coast where the influence of the city port does not reach (Laitano et al 2015).…”

“…(Jong-Rok et al 2016); hence it is expected to find high bacterial load associated with such contaminants. In fact, in MDPP the above contaminants were historically found in high concentrations (Goldberg et al 2004;Cledón et al 2006;Bigatti et al 2009;De Waisbaum et al 2010;Albano et al 2013;Laitano et al 2015) as well as bacterial load (Pérez Guzzi et al 2006). Thus, it is probable that PO activity is stimulated in barnacles of the port due to pathogens abundance.…”

“…This port can be considered chronic contaminated; many studies report high levels of different contaminants (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), tributyl tin, etc.) in its sediments over many years (Goldberg et al 2004;Cledón et al 2006;Bigatti et al 2009;Waisbaum et al 2010;Albano et al 2013;Laitano et al 2015). On the other hand, PC, located 3.5 km south from the port, is a quartzite outcrop emerging on a beach that can be considered free of such pollution.…”

Shell alterations in limpets as putative biomarkers for multi-impacted coastal areas

“…In addition, ratios of both fluoranthene to fluoranthene plus pyrene (Fl/Fl þ Py) and indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene to indene[1,2,3-cd]pyrene plus benzo[ghi]perylene (IP/IP þ BghiP) (Yunker et al, 2002) were higher than 0.5, indicating sources of pyrolytic PAHs in all sites. In fact, harbour areas are known to be hot spots of combustion PAHs (Laitano et al, 2015). Total PCBs detected in surface sediments from P1, P2 and P3 were 11.8, 12.4 and 1.13 ng g À1 dw, respectively.…”