Spatio-temporal trends and body size differences of OCPs and PCBs in Laeonereis culveri (Polychaeta: Nereididae) from Southwest Atlantic estuaries

Abstract

Southwest Atlantic (SWA) estuaries have been historically impacted by industrial and agricultural activities that represent an important source of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Intraspecific differences in OCPs and PCBs levels were evaluated in the benthic polychaete Laeonereis culveri from SWA estuaries (Samborombón; Mar Chiquita; Quequén Grande and Bahía Blanca) at different spatio-temporal scales. Regarding inter-and intra-estuarine spatial comparisons polychaetes showed significant differences in OCPs/PCBs levels (p < 0.05) being DDTs, endosulfan, penta-and hexa-CBs homologues the most representative compounds. Intra-estuarine comparisons also showed significant differences in terms of seasonality and body size (p < 0.05). OCPs/PCBs concentrations were negatively correlated with animal weight, but this covariable was not relevant on differences observed. OCPs/PCBs levels in polychaetes showed strong relationships with those of sediments, being suitable for estuarine biomonitoring studies. Seasonal and body-size differences found in OCPs and PCBs levels in tissues reveal the importance of these factors for intra-estuarine monitoring.

Macroecotoxicology: Challenges and opportunities to study broad-scale biodiversity patterns under the effect of microplastics contamination

“…Recently, it has been shown that human pressures might help to predict current geographic range sizes [47] and that the high degree of human modification of natural ecosystems has primarily impacted the speciesenvironment relationship [39] For instance, the mammalian body mass is lower closer to human settlements or in recently converted agricultural areas. Hence, it is likely that temporal and spatial dynamics of functional traits are also being affected by contamination [48,49].…”

Spatial Differences of Environmental Pollution and Environmental Regulation Based on Social Network Analysis

“…Diaz-Jaramillo M assessed nonspecific differences in OCP and PCB levels at different scales in the benthic polychaete Laeonereis culveri from SWA rivers. Concentrations of OCPs/PCBs were associated with animal body weight, but this covariate was not associated with the observed differences [3]. Therefore, in a long period of time in the future, how to determine the optimal development model and realize the coordinated development of economy and environment is a major problem that needs to be solved in future development [4][5].…”