Heavy metals in kidney tissues of Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei (Cetacea: Pontoporiidae), and their relationship with biological parameters

María V. Panebianco, María F. Negri, Sandra E. Botté, Jorge E. Marcovecchio, Humberto L. Cappozzo


DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol39-issue3-fulltext-12

Heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr,Ni) concentrations were determined in the kidney tissue of the Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, and the influence of ecological and biological parameters on the bioaccumulation of these elements was established. Samples from 38 specimens, collected between 2004 and 2010 off southern Buenos Aires, Argentina, were analyzed. Histological methods were used to determine both the age and sexual maturity of the animals. Heavy metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. No significant differences were found by sex for Zn, Cu, and Cd. However, Cd levels differed between maturity stages and were positively related to length, body weight, and age. The Cd, Cu, and Zn levels reported here in were lower than those included in previous studies done off northern Buenos Aires and Uruguay. 

Panebianco M, Negri M, Botté S, Marcovecchio J, Cappozzo H. Heavy metals in kidney tissues of Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei (Cetacea: Pontoporiidae), and their relationship with biological parameters. Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res.. 2017;39(3): 526-533. Available from: doi:10.3856/vol39-issue3-fulltext-12 [Accessed 21 Nov. 2024].
Panebianco, M., Negri, M., Botté, S., Marcovecchio, J., & Cappozzo, H. (2017). Heavy metals in kidney tissues of Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei (Cetacea: Pontoporiidae), and their relationship with biological parameters. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 39(3), 526-533. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol39-issue3-fulltext-12