Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 73, Issue 1, Pages 102-114Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.05.032
Keywords
Soft-bottom community; Pollution indicator; Multi-molecular markers; Environmental health; Mar del Plata port
Funding
- CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) [Brazil 005/2007]
- CNPq [564316/2008-3]
- CONICET (Argentina)
- SNI (ANII)
- PEDECIBA
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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. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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