RESUMO
This study summarizes the concentration in dry weight (dw) of several metal(oid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), as well as the abundance and characteristics of microplastics (MP) in wet weight (ww) of the soft tissues of clam Corbicula fluminea from Chubut River (Patagonia, Argentina). The contents of essential elements were in the following decreasing order: Zn > Mn > Cu > Ni; meanwhile, non-essential elements Cd, Cr and Pb were below the detection limit (<0.5 µg/g dw). A high mean concentration of As (6.1 ± 0.3 µg/g dw) was found, surpassing the maximum allowable limit established by the Argentine Food Code for bivalve molluscs. The number of MP ranged from 0.07 to 1.27 items/ind. and from 0.2 to 2.9 items/g ww. Fibers were the most common shape, mainly transparent. The size of MP ranged from 42 to 1917 µm, accounting for 62 % of MP between 50 and 450 µm. The dominant polymer was PET based on the results of Raman spectroscopy. Based on the widespread distribution of MP in the environment and the wide range of effects on organisms, it is necessary to develop long-term monitoring programs for MP contamination in different environmental matrices. Understanding the bioaccumulation of MP in bivalves is crucial to assess the potential risk to human health through consumption and to the ecosystem. We propose that the widespread Asian clam could serve as a useful biomonitor for MP and As pollution in freshwater and estuarine environments such as the Chubut River.
Assuntos
Corbicula , Monitoramento Ambiental , Metais , Microplásticos , Rios , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Corbicula/efeitos dos fármacos , Corbicula/metabolismo , Rios/química , Argentina , Microplásticos/análise , Metais/análise , Metais/metabolismoRESUMO
This is the first report of anthropogenic particles (APs), including microplastics and synthetic, semi-synthetic and anthropogenically-altered natural fibers, in water and sediment of the Chubut River estuary. This river is the main source of freshwater in Chubut Province (Patagonia, Argentina), where wastes and pollutants are poured and finally end in the Atlantic Ocean. The average concentration in surface and bottom water samples was 5.5 items/L, while in sediment was 175.4 items/kg dw. Raman's analysis identified particles dominated by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (35.5 %), dye signature only (18.5) and anthropogenic cellulose (10 %). Fibers were the prevalent shape (83 %), and the chemical identification evidenced a textile origin. The highest APs concentration was found in sediments from the site with the finest grain size and the greatest amount of organic matter. Present results will provide a baseline for future studies and raise public and governmental awareness.