title: Levels of essential and toxic elements in Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina.
abstract: Baseline concentration levels of As, B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Se, V, and Zn were determined for Porphyra columbina and Ulva sp. collected from three locations along San Jorge Gulf, in Patagonia Argentina. Elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, with the exception of lead and cadmium in some samples which were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Three stations with different exposure degree to human activities, Bahía Solano, the mouth of Arroyo La Mata stream and Punta Maqueda, were selected as sampling points. The results showed a wide range of metal retention capacity between the two studied species. Regarding the levels of pollutants found in the researched sites, Punta Maqueda seemed to be less influenced by anthropogenic activities than the other two sites except for Cd. Taking into account their toxicities seasonal variations in Pb and Cd levels were studied in both algae in Punta Maqueda. Maximum concentrations of Cd (9.8 microg g(-1) dry wt.) were observed in P. columbina during winter, and maximum levels of Pb (0.82 microg g(-1) dry wt.) were detected in Ulva sp. during summer. Legislative and health safety aspects were evaluated for Cd and Pb.
authors.affiliation: Cátedras de Toxicología y Química Legal, Biología y Bromatología y Nutrición, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina.
authors.forename: Adriana Angela
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Silvia Sara
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Farías
authors.forename: Analía Mabel
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Strobl
authors.forename: Laura Beatriz
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Clara Magdalena
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piñeiro
authors.forename: Otmaro
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Roses
authors.forename: María Angélica
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fajardo
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D044664:Porphyra / Q000378:metabolism*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012621:Seasons; D044445:Ulva / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic