title: Macrobenthos and multi-molecular markers as indicators of environmental contamination in a South American port (Mar del Plata, Southwest Atlantic).
abstract: We evaluated benthic habitat quality along a presumed contamination gradient in the Mar del Plata port (Southwestern Atlantic) by coupling biological and chemical proxies in a multidisciplinary approach. Organic matter and photosynthetic pigment contents were higher in silty-clay bottoms of the inner port sites. Levels of all fecal steroids decreased from the inner sites to the port inlet. High concentrations of coprostanol in the inner sites seemed to derive from a permanent population of sea lions rather than from sewage outfalls due to coprostanol/epicoprostanol ratio (IV) values <2.5. PAHs levels were also higher in the inner sector, related to both biomass combustion and petroleum combustion associated to local marine traffic. High disturbance and low ecological status were reflected in low benthic diversity and high AMBI values in the inner sites.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Invertebrados, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. malbano@mdp.edu.ar
authors.forename: Mariano J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: da Cunha Lana
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bremec
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elías
authors.forename: César C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Venturini
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivero
authors.forename: Eduardo A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Vallarino
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obenat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Environmental health; Mar del Plata port; Multi-molecular markers; Pollution indicator; Soft-bottom community