Burrowing Crab (Neohelice granulata) as a Potential Bioindicator of Heavy Metals in the Bahia Blanca Estuary, Argentina

Abstract

Bioindicators can be used to determine spatial and/or temporal variations of heavy metals in a certain coastal or marine environments. This paper investigates the potential use of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata from two different locations in the Bahía Blanca estuary, a moderately polluted ecosystem. Concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in soft tissues of males and females were measured. In addition, concentrations of the three metals in eggs were compared with concentrations in females. No geographical differences were found for any of the three metals, while sexual and seasonal differences were obtained for Zn and Ni, being winter the season with lower concentrations. Moreover the three metals were detectable in eggs and were lower than concentrations in females (except for Zn). Finally, the usefulness of this species as a potential bioindicator of heavy metal pollution within this estuarine ecosystem is discussed.