Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mesozooplankton from a human-impacted south western Atlantic estuary (Argentina)

The total metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Fe) in the mesozooplankton (200 μm–2 mm) were studied for a year in a human-impacted estuary strongly affected by urban and industrial discharges located in the South Atlantic. Over the last 25 years, this estuary has been the site of significant anthropogenic impacts including industrial activities, maritime traffic, and regular dredging. A quantitative and qualitative analysis was also carried out to identify the mesozooplanktonic community that was sampled for metal determinations. The mesozooplankton had high concentrations of toxic metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni, which may indicate that these organisms are strong accumulators of these metals. Also, the analyzed metals had a wide temporal variation, the highest levels being in autumn and spring. The ranges were as follows: cadmium (Cd): 0.3–3.8; copper (Cu): 35.3–226.6; chromium (Cr): 1.4–57.9; iron (Fe): 1060–57370; manganese (Mn): 18–1102; nickel (Ni): 2.8–57.3; lead (Pb): 2.4–66.7; zinc (Zn): 97.6–1872.2 (μg g –1dry weight). Total zooplankton abundance also showed a significant temporal variation and the most important taxa were the copepods Acartia tonsa, Eurytemora americana, the barnacle Balanus spp. (in the nauplius larval stage), and the crab Cyrtograpsus altimanus (in the zoea larval stage).<br/> In zooplankton, all the metals were detected throughout the whole sampling year and at all sampling sites, which suggests the presence of continuous or quasi-continuous sources of these contaminants. Thus, the most abundant zooplankton species could be considered as potential biomonitors for trace metals in heavily impacted marine environments like estuaries.

Tidal effects on short-term mesozooplankton distribution in small channels of a temperate-turbid estuary, Southwestern Atlantic

The short-term variability of mesozooplankton distribution and physicochemical variables was examined in two different channels of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina, during two tidal cycles. All the physicochemical measurements and mesozooplankton sampling were performed at a fixed site during approximately 22-23 h at 3-h intervals. Pumps were used to obtain surface and bottom mesozooplankton samples and the water speed of each stratum was measured with an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). In all, 23 mesozooplanktonic taxa belonging to four phyla (Arthropoda, Annelida, Echinodermata and Chordata) were identified. The most abundant taxa during the two tidal cycles were Balanus glandula larvae, Eurytemora americana and Acartia tonsa. A discernible variability in the water conditions and vertical mesozooplankton distribution (VMD) different from that known for the estuary's main channel, was found in the other two selected channels. VMD varied during the tidal cycle in both channels in accordance with the channel's geomorphology and water dynamic characteristics of each of them. The variation of the abundance of the different taxa during ebb and flood currents might indicate the existence of a tidal vertical migration of the mesozooplankton as a response to particular dynamic water conditions.

The role of the seasonal and semi-diurnal tidal cycle on mesozooplankton variability in a shallow mixed estuary (Bahía Blanca, Argentina)

Menéndez, M. C., Dutto, M. S., Piccolo, M. C., and Hoffmeyer, M. S. 2012. The role of the seasonal and semi-diurnal tidal cycle on mesozooplankton variability in a shallow mixed estuary (Bahía Blanca, Argentina). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 389–398. The role of the seasonal and semi-diurnal tidal cycle on mesozooplankton dynamics was investigated in the inner zone of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE), Argentina. Hydrological data and mesozooplankton samples were obtained bimonthly from December 2004 to April 2006, during 14 h tidal cycles. The mesozooplankton community was represented by 33 taxa. Taxa richness was greater near the bottom, where the contribution of benthic forms was notable. Abundances were greatest during summer (>5500 ind. m−3) and lowest during winter (<70 ind. m−3). The mesozooplankton community was dominated by Acartia tonsa and Eurytemora americana. Multivariate analyses revealed significant seasonal differences in community structure, especially in terms of density. Seasonal differences in community structure are well explained by the natural change of abiotic and biotic conditions, but temperature played a key role in structuring the mesozooplankton community. The zooplankton was significantly more abundant during the ebb, suggesting that local hydrological conditions are responsible for the spatial variations. The results demonstrate how variable the mesozooplankton community structure can be over different time-scales and provide a better understanding of zooplankton variability in the BBE and other temperate, turbid, mixed systems.

Seasonal variation in the egg morphology of the copepod Eurytemora americana and its relationship with reproductive strategy in a temperate estuary in Argentina

Berasategui, A. A., Hoffmeyer, M. S., Dutto, M. S., and Biancalana, F. 2012. Seasonal variation in the egg morphology of the copepod Eurytemora americana and its relationship with reproductive strategy in a temperate estuary in Argentina. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 380–388. Seasonal variation in the morphology of Eurytemora americana eggs and its relationship with reproductive strategy were studied in the Bahía Blanca Estuary. Eggs from field females were analysed morphologically by optical (OM) and electron microscopy [scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–transmission electron microscopy (TEM)] during the population pulse. Additionally, egg-carrying females were incubated simulating in situ environmental conditions to evaluate the resting egg character. Subitaneous and resting eggs were indistinguishable by OM, but showed different chorion appearance under SEM and TEM. Sinuous patterned chorion eggs, mainly produced during the period of population growth, were classed as subitaneous eggs based on their high level of hatching success. Eggs with a sponge-like appearance, produced after the population peaked, were classed as diapause eggs based on their inability to hatch even under favourable conditions. There were significant differences in egg size through the population pulse and diapause eggs were significantly bigger than subitaneous eggs. The observation of both morphotypes in egg-carrying females after peak population abundance confirms the existence of a transitional reproductive stage before the exclusive production of diapause eggs at the end of the pulse. Diapause egg production enables E. americana to resist adverse conditions, ensuring its survival in temperate estuaries.

Environmental regulation of the estuarine copepods Acartia tonsa and Eurytemora americana during coexistence period

The seasonal dynamics of Acartia tonsa and the invader Eurytemora americana were analysed in relation to the environmental variability occurring from April to November in the Bahía Blanca Estuary. Twice a month, the abundance of eggs, nauplii, copepodites and adults was examined and some environmental variables were recorded. Multivariate statistics (CCA) was applied to analyse the data of variables. Acartia tonsa eggs and nauplii diminished from April–May and they were almost absent between June and September, although a small larval peak could be detected from the end of July to October. All the stages of this species increased in number through spring. Eurytemora americana was registered as from June and only nauplii larvae were observed, with a peak increase during September. Copepodites and adults were observed as from July, increasing in number until peaking at the end of September. The number of all stages of this species decreased abruptly, the whole population disappearing from the plankton. The A. tonsa developmental stages were most positively correlated with temperature, photoperiod and other light variables whereas those of E. americana showed positive correlations with chlorophyll-a and salinity. The gradients of the main environmental factors likely give rise to a certain niche separation facilitating the coexistence of the two copepod populations within the period studied.