Integrative assessment of the ecological risk of heavy metals in a South American estuary under human pressures.

Biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution through the use of biomarkers could be a difficult task since the organisms' physiological changes could shift regarding natural factors (i.e., the season of the year) and due to the anthropogenic pressures of the environment. In the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, where most industrial and developing countries are settled, it is essential to address these concerns to generate information for the stakeholders and monitoring programs that aim to use biochemical biomarkers as early warning signals to detect heavy metal pollution. The present study intended to determinate the heavy metal concentrations in sediments and the hepatopancreas of the crab species Neohelice granulata as well as the ecological risk through the use of biomarkers and geochemical indices in sites with different anthropogenic pressures of the Bahía Blanca estuary (SW Atlantic Ocean) during the warm and cold season. The results showed low to moderate heavy metal pollution in the sediments by Cu with possible effects on the biota in a site with sewage waters' discharges. Except for GST that was explained by Cd, the biomarkers employed were not useful to assess spatial heavy metal pollution, and they might be ruled out by physiological seasonal variations rather than anthropogenic constraints, or another type of pollutants in the area.

Distribution of Butyltin Compounds in the Coastal Environment of the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

This study evaluates for the first time the distribution and accumulation of butyltin compounds (BTs) in different compartments such as seawater, sediments, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii) in the Bahía Blanca estuary. The samples were collected from six sampling sites with different anthropogenic impacts. A better visualization and interpretation of data was achieved using chemometric tools (Tucker4 model), which made it possible to reveal the main relationships among the variables. This analysis showed the presence of BTs in all the estuarine environmental compartments, even in sites with low human intervention. The relationships found among BTs levels, seasons, and environmental matrices show the importance of biological processes such as phytoplankton blooms and remobilization of sediments (by tidal dynamics and/or periodic dredging) in BTs distribution and degradation. In addition, partition coefficients showed that mussels mainly bioaccumulate tributyltin from sediment, water and, to a lesser extent, SPM.

Assessing threats, regulations, and strategies to abate plastic pollution in LAC beaches during COVID-19 pandemic.

Plastic use and production have dramatically increased globally over the past 65 years with the improvement of life quality by the daily use of plastic products. Still, around 50% of the plastic produced is disposable products that generate substantial waste. Several reports pointed out the adverse effects of plastic litter in coastal environments in recent years, emphasizing single-use plastics (SUP). In this manner, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) coastal environments are highly vulnerable due to wastewater treatment facilities scarcity and poor plastic waste management strategies. Since COVID-19 pandemic, the single-use plastic waste/person rate is expected to rise due to the use of personal protective equipment and SUP as health care measures. Based on literature research and the review of plastic waste regulations, this paper will assess the main COVID-19 plastic pollution threats and LAC beaches' regulations to suggest possible measures to abate this problem. The main findings suggest that unifying the ongoing fragmented and overlapped policies is key to abate plastic pollution, including plastic industry regulations and circular economies. In addition, increasing public risk perception about plastic pollution is critical to reducing plastic waste generation. Research advances in the adverse effects of plastic debris could improve the public's perception of plastic pollution risk, pushing forward global marine plastic governance.

Preliminary studies about the role of physicochemical parameters on the organotin compound dynamic in a South American estuary (Bahía Blanca, Argentina).

This work provides a preliminary study of the destination, mobility, and availability of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) in contaminated sediments and water column within Puerto Rosales Port, located in the middle zone of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina). Therefore, this study presents the first comprehensive results of the role of several physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, Eh, salinity, turbidity, organic matter, chlorophyll, and macronutrients) in behavior of organotin compounds (OTCs) in a marine-coastal ecosystem. The samples were collected seasonally in May, August, and November during 2014. Levels of OTCs were determined in sediments and water column samples by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Degradation index analyses suggested not recent inputs of TBT at the area of study. However, results submitted a continuous input of TBT into the column water; further, its distribution and degradation pattern were shown to be influenced by salinity, turbidity, particulate organic matter, chlorophyll, and nitrates. These last two parameters, chlorophyll and nitrates, also were very important for sediment samples. Chlorophyll together with high temperatures recorded in the surface sediments triggers biodegradation process of TBT and DBT resulting in high MBT levels while nitrates seemed to promote debutylation process. Furthermore, pH appeared to influence drastically the adsorption/desorption activity of TBT and DBT in sediment. Finally, the Eh obtained suggested a degradation of TBT thanks to the presence of Fe (III) in this compartment. In addition, in fact, the results outlined a possible MBT additional input that contributes to the pollution observed in the study area. Graphical abstract Organotin compounds behavior according to several physicochemical parameters.

Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Fish from the Bahía Blanca Estuary in Argentina, South America.

The aim of this study was to assess - for the first time - the occurrence and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of a marine commercial fish species (Micropogonias furnieri) from the Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE) in Argentina, and to evaluate fish potential associated stress. In order to do this, juveniles were sampled using artisanal fishing arts at two sampling locations. Basic measurements of individual fish were taken (total length, total weight, weight of the liver) and GITs were subsequently removed, digested with 30% H2O2 for 5 days at 60°C, filtered on Whatman paper and then dried. Samples were observed with a stereomicroscope, and it was demonstrated that 100% of the individuals contained microplastic particles in their GITs. In total, 241 microplastic particles were removed from the GITs of all fish. They were categorized as fibers (60.8%), pellets (28.9%), fragments (8.6%) and laminas (1.4%), and they ranged in size from 0.98 to > 5 mm. The average number of particles per fish was higher than that reported in previous global marine studies. Moreover, a positive correlation between the number of MPs per fish and hepatosomatic index was found, suggesting a probable stress in their health condition. These findings provide the first and southernmost evidence of microplastic contamination in biota from the Argentinean sea, which is found in the South Atlantic sea.

Fast and Feasible Ultrasound-Assisted Pretreatment for the Determination of Organotin Compounds in Environmental Samples.

The goal of this study was to improve an already established reference method, such as the one devoted to organotin compounds determination (Reference Method for Marine Pollution Studies, No. 59, UNEP). The proposed upgrade consists of replacing the mechanical shaking by ultrasound energy and applying low temperature throughout the whole procedure. The optimization of the new operational conditions was performed by using a factorial design. Quality control was performed using a certified sediment reference material (PACS-2) for sediments (82.5-97% of recovery) and recoveries on spiked samples for suspended particulate matter (SPM) and mussels (94-100%). The proposed procedure was applied to surface sediment samples, SPM, and native bivalve mollusks (Brachidontes rodriguezii) collected in Bahia Blanca estuary, a very industrialized zone. The relative standard deviation (RSD %) of the environmental samples were less than 7.9%. It is important to note that the proposed procedure reduced the sample pretreatment time about seven times.

Influence of human-induced pressures on dissolved and particulate metal concentrations in a South American estuary.

Coastal areas are urbanized and industrialized environments, affected by dredging operations, discharges of untreated municipal wastewaters, and farming. Developing countries are in continuous growth and will deal, in a close future, with the highest rate of coastal transformation, posing serious risks for the ecological and environmental value of ecosystem assets. This research aims to study the dissolved and particulate Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn values within an argentinean estuarine environment which is currently under human-induced pressures. Concentrations of all the metals under analyses showed seasonal variability of both dissolved and particulate metals. An important outcome of this study was that dissolved Cr, Pb and Zn attained maximum values and overall increased concentrations with respect to previous records from the same area. Indeed, the highest concentrations were found during the dredging operations or in association with increases in the metal levels from wastewater discharges. The results also indicated that human activities contributed the least to the dissolved Ni concentrations. The particulate fraction of Cr, Ni and Zn showed an upward trend in the concentrations, particularly during the last two sampling dates, being also positively correlated between each other. Regarding their respective environmental quality standards, many samples achieved dissolved Cr and Zn concentrations above the maximum values recommended by international guidelines. Thus, this study highlights the possibility of stressors like dredging activities and municipal wastewaters to cause increases in the water column pollution levels.

Organotin compounds in Brachidontes rodriguezii mussels from the Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

Levels of tributyltin and its breakdown compounds, including the first record of monobutyltin (MBT) in history for Latin America, were determined in native mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii) by means of CG-MS, after extraction/derivatization assisted by ultrasound. The samples were collected in 2013 in Bahía Blanca Estuary (Argentina) at 6 sites, which reflect different levels of maritime activities. Total butyltins (TBts = TBT+ DBT+ MBT) levels ranged from 19.64 to 180.57ng Sn g-1 dry weight. According to the Oslo-Paris commission, the results indicated that 73.9% of mussels could be under biological effects risks associated with TBT pollution. In accordance with the calculated bioaccumulation factors, approximately 56% of samples appeared to have accumulated TBT through the sediments. All sampling sites were shown to be impacted by organotin compounds (OTCs) showing variable levels through seasons, which could be related with the variation of the water temperature. Degradation index analyses suggested aged inputs of TBT possibly under a general degradation process at the area of study. In addition, the occurrence of DBT and MBT could not be uniquely attributed to the degradation pathway of the TBT; in fact, results outlined the possible contribution of some punctual and diffuse sources at the area such as proximity to plastic industries, industrial effluents, sewage outlets and domestic wastewaters.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mussels from a South American Estuary.

Bivalves, especially mussels, have been pointed as putative species to monitor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine environment. After several environmental PAHs baseline reports, the present study was conducted to assess for the first time the levels of PAHs in native mussels (Brachidontes rodriguezii) collected from a critical industrialized estuary of Argentina. Under this objective, after an 18-month sampling period, 34 pools of mussels were assessed for 17 PAHs, including the 16 compounds prioritized by United States Environmental Protection Agency. By means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, results showed total PAHs concentrations in mussel's tissue ranged from under laboratory detection limits to 482.4 ng/g dry weight. Mussel body burdens were dominated by lower molecular weight PAHs, such as phenanthrene, naphthalene, and pyrene, whereas the overall PAHs profile suggested the predominance of petrogenic sources. Finally, the potential ecotoxicological impact was evaluated by applying Environmental Assessment Criteria and benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalent factors.

Distribution, Sources, and Potential Ecotoxicological Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Sediments from Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

Thirty-four surface sediment samples were collected from Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina, to evaluate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination and ecotoxicity risk by applying sediment-quality guidelines (SQGs) and toxic equivalent factors (TEQ). Total concentrations of 17 parent PAHs, including the 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs, were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and their levels ranged from 19.7 to 30,054.5 ng/g dry weight. The greatest values were found near the urban/industrial core and decreasing as the distance from that site increased. Molecular ratios determined mixed sources of PAHs with a slight imposition of pyrolitic over the petrogenic inputs. The ecotoxicological evaluation, based on the SQG model, showed that some of the individual PAHs were in excess of the effects range low (ERL) and the effects range median's threshold; then, predicted occasional (ERL) and frequent adverse effects over the surrounding biota at the area of study were determined. Total PAH levels were expressed as benzo-a-pyrene TEQ and compared with literature data.

Synthetic microfibers and tyre wear particles pollution in aquatic systems: Relevance and mitigation strategies.

Evidence shows that the majority of aquatic field microplastics (MPs) could be microfibers (MFs) which can be originated directly from massive sources such as textile production and shedding from garments, agricultural textiles and clothes washing. In addition, wear and tear of tyres (TRWPs) emerges as a stealthy major source of micro and nanoplastics, commonly under-sampled/detected in the field. In order to compile the current knowledge in regards to these two major MPs sources, concentrations of concern in aquatic environments, their distribution, bulk emission rates and water mitigation strategies were systematically reviewed. Most of the aquatic field studies presented MFs values above 50%. MPs concentrations varied from 0.3 to 8925 particles m-3 in lakes, from 0.69 to 8.7 × 106 particles m-3 in streams and rivers, from 0.16 to 192000 particles m-3 estuaries, and from 0 to 4600 particles m-3 in the ocean. Textiles at every stage of production, use and disposal are the major source of synthetic MFs to water. Laundry estimates showed an averaged release up to 279972 tons year-1 (high washing frequency) from which 123000 tons would annually flow through untreated effluents to rivers, streams, lakes or directly to the ocean. TRWPs in the aquatic environments showed concentrations up to 179 mg L-1 (SPM) in runoff river sediments and up to 480 mg g-1 in highway runoff sediments. Even though average TRWR emission is of 0.95 kg year-1 per capita (10 nm- 500 µm) there is a general scarcity of information about their aquatic environmental levels probably due to no-availability or inadequate methods of detection. The revision of strategies to mitigate the delivering of MFs and TRWP into water streams illustrated the importance of domestic laundry retention devices, Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) with at least a secondary treatment and stormwater and road-runoff collectors quality improvement devices.

Occurrence, behavior and the associated health risk of organochlorine pesticides in sediments and fish from Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina.

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were assessed for their occurrence, behavior and the associated human health and ecological risks in four fish species (Micropogonias furnieri, Cynoscion guatucupa, Mustelus schmitti, and Ramnogaster arcuata) and sediments from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina, an important coastal environment of South America. Total OCPs values ranged from 0.86 to 6.23 ng/g dry weight in sediments and from

Multi-year monitoring of estuarine sediments as ultimate sink for DDT, HCH, and other organochlorinated pesticides in Argentina.

Forty-nine superficial sediment samples used in this study were collected from eight sites in the Bahia Blanca Estuary, located in the Buenos Aires Province southwest, Argentina, in a period between April 2005 and March 2009, to assess the concentration levels, spatial and seasonal distribution, and putative input sources of 18 selected organochlorine pesticides (OCs), following UNEP-IAEA procedures. Average concentration levels in sediments ranged between 3.54 and 63.79 ng g⁻¹, d.w. (mean = 15.99 ng g⁻¹, d.w.), for ∑OCs, and from nondetectable to 8.03 ng g⁻¹, d.w. (mean = 2.16 ng g⁻¹, d.w.), and from nondetectable to 3.20 ng g⁻¹ (mean = 0.97 ng g⁻¹, d.w.) for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), respectively. Principal component analysis allowed the classification of sampling sites according to the main OCs inputs over the estuary. In comparison to other worldwide locations and to the world coastal sediment concentrations range, sediment DDTs and HCHs levels were in the low range; on the opposite, ∑OCs average was in the medium range. OCs seasonal distribution was found to be highly correlated with the precipitations seasonality and sowing seasons in the adjacent agriculture fields. In addition, an ecotoxicological risk assessment pointed industrial and agriculture catchment zones with intermediate probability of adverse effects to biota, while the city sewage outfall was classified with none indication of an immediate threat. Data indicated that the estuary sediments were functioning as a sink for persistent OC pesticides (either in use or banned), however, it was found a declining trend on their environmental burden.

Influence of flooding and vegetation on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in the pore water of a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh.

Four sites were selected in a salt marsh in the Bahia Blanca Estuary (Argentina): (1) low marsh (flooded by the tide twice daily) vegetated by S. alterniflora; (2) non-vegetated low marsh; (3) high marsh (flooded only in spring tides) vegetated by S. alterniflora; (4) non-vegetated high marsh. The pH and Eh were measured in sediments, while dissolved nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, nitrite and phosphate) and particulate organic matter (POM) were determined in pore water. pH (6.2-8.7) was only affected by vegetation in low areas. Eh (from -300 to 250 mV) was lower at low sites than at high ones; in the latter, the values were higher in the non-vegetated sediments. The POM concentration was greater in the high marsh than in the low marsh, with no effect of vegetation. Ammonium was the most abundant nitrogen nutrient species in pore water, except in the non-vegetated high marsh where nitrate concentration was higher. All nitrogen nutrients were affected by both flooding and vegetation. Phosphate was always present in pore water at all sites throughout the year and its concentration varied within narrow limits, with no effect of flooding and greater values always at non-vegetated sites. Our results showed that the variability of the pore water composition within the marsh is greater than the temporal variation, meaning that both tidal flooding and vegetation are important in the dynamics of nutrients and organic matter in the sediment pore water.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in coastal wetlands: A review of their occurrences, toxic effects, and biogeochemical cycling.

Coastal wetlands, such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes, are highly threatened by increasing anthropic pressures, including chemical pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have attracted attention in these particularly vulnerable ecosystems, due to their bioaccumulative, pervasive, and ecotoxic behavior. This article reviews and summarizes available information regarding current levels, biogeochemical cycling, and effects of POPs on coastal wetlands. Sediment POP levels were compared with international quality guidelines, revealing many areas where compounds could cause damage to biota. Despite this, toxicological studies on some coastal wetland plants and microorganisms showed a high tolerance to those levels. These taxonomic groups are likely to play a key role in the cycling of the POPs, with an active role in their accumulation, immobilization, and degradation. Toxicity and biogeochemical processes varied markedly along three main axes; namely species, environmental conditions, and type of pollutant. While more focused research on newly and unintentionally produced POPs is needed, mainly in salt marshes and seagrass beds, with the information available so far, the environmental behavior, spatial distribution, and toxicity level of the studied POPs showed similar patterns across the three studied ecosystems.

Plastic Impacts in Argentina: a Critical Research Review Contributing to the Global Knowledge.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Plastic pollution research has experienced exponential growth in the last decade; however, Argentina concentrates more than 70% of their research in the last 4 years. This review compiles regional research on plastic pollution in water, soil, sediment, air and organisms in Argentina. It discusses current sampling, quantification, and plastics identification methodologies while analyzing levels, gaps, and opportunities. RECENT FINDINGS: Research in plastic pollution was mainly focused on the biosphere component (52.9%), followed by the hydrosphere component (29.4%), and finally the lithosphere component (17.7%), with less than 20% addressing multiple components simultaneously. Sixty percent of this research was focused around microplastics, and less than 20% have considered multiple plastic debris sizes. Marine coastal species from Argentina had higher levels of microplastics than organisms from other South American studies, while microfibers were identified in 100% of the freshwater organisms studied. The lowest microplastic concentrations were found in lakes and in the Paraná and La Plata rivers, while the maximum concentrations were found in Pampa´s streams. There was a lack of standardization in methodology and unit expression in studies of sediment microplastics, which hinders comparison between reports. Argentine scientists have created the national alliance called SciEnce for Plastic Impacts Argentina (SEPIA). SEPIA is a network which aims to systemize plastic pollution research, coordinate methodologies, and enhance relationships with decision-makers, NGOs, and the general public. A time gap was found between the designation of principal international multilateral agreements and the implementation of national regulations for plastic waste treatment, with a tendency to include advanced concepts as Extended Producer Responsibility and Circular Economy.

Seasonal distribution pattern and bioaccumulation of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in four bioindicator coastal fishes of Argentina.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are pollutants of global concern in coastal environments. They have a wide range of biological toxicity and due to their inherent properties, can easily bioaccumulate in organisms and concentrate in the environment. This work evaluated, in an integrated way, the seasonal PAH distribution patterns in sediments and four bioindicators fish species in a highly impacted estuary of Argentina; besides, their bioaccumulation patterns were assessed for the first time as indicator of ecological risk. The highest PAH levels in fish were found for Ramnogaster arcuata with an average of 64 ng g-1 w.w., followed by Micropogonias furnieri (45 ng g-1 w.w.), Cynoscion guatucupa (28 ng g-1 w.w.), and Mustelus schmitti (16 ng g-1 w.w.). Fish presented the highest PAH levels in fall with a predominance of petrogenic PAHs in colder seasons and pyrolytic PAHs in warmer seasons. Sediments presented an average of 233 ng g-1 d.w. with the same seasonal composition pattern of the fish tissues. Additionally, the data suggested that the main source of PAHs are wastewater discharges. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of PAHs in the tested fishes were found to range from 0.3 to 8. The highest values were observed during fall and winter, while bioaccumulation did not occur in moist spring and summer samples, which would suggest a high biotransformation process during these seasons. Results suggested that class III of juvenile C. guatucupa and M. furnieri, and adults R. arcuata are more sensitive bioindicators of chronic PAH contamination and that their bioaccumulation is independent of the compound hydrophobicity; this could have a positively influence on the criteria used for biological monitoring programs along the Atlantic coast. In addition, the presented BAF data on the target species will serve as a useful pollution indicator for South Atlantic coastal fish.

Water, sediments and fishes: First multi compartment assessment of metal pollution in a coastal environment from the SW Atlantic.

This is an integrated assessment of the distribution of Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in dissolved water, sediments and muscle fish tissues (Cynoscion guatucupa, Micropogonias furnieri, Mustelus schmitti and Ramnogaster arcuata) from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. Within the water fraction (µg L-1), Hg and Pb concentrations ranged from below the limit of detection (

Influences of sex, habitat, and seasonality on heavy-metal concentrations in the burrowing crab (Neohelice granulata) from a coastal lagoon in Argentina.

Cadmium, chromium, copper, and manganese concentrations were determined in hepatopancreas of both sexes as well as in eggs at different embryonic development stages of the burrowing crab Neohelice granulata (Brachyura, Varunidae) from Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon, a biosphere reserve from Argentina, during a period of 1 year, to assess the bioaccumulation of metals associated with sex and seasonality. Furthermore, metal levels in associated superficial sediment samples were also determined. Two different "cangrejales," one in a mudflat and another one in a salt marsh, were studied. The results showed high concentrations of copper within the hepatopancreas, which was considered a strong reflection of high exposure of N. granulata to this metal. Metal accumulation in hepatopancreas from both study sites and sexes did not present significant differences, as did seasonality. In this sense, both spring and summer metal levels in hepatopancreas were the greatest. Eggs did not present differences in metal accumulation, with the exception of manganese, between sites or between crabs at different embryonic stages. For this metal, eggs from female crabs inhabiting mudflats showed higher levels than those from inhabiting salt marshes. Moreover, eggs in the late embryonic stage also showed the highest manganese concentrations. Metal levels in sediments, however, were similar in both sites. These are the first results of metal level in biota and sediments in this particular environment. Such results could be used as a baseline for the monitoring of metal levels in future studies in Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon.

Spatial Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Residual Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in South American Marine Environments.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been intensely used and produced in South America. Although they were banned before the year 2000 (excepting endosulfan, which has been recently banned in several countries), OCPs remain detectable in marine environments of this continent, sometimes at risky levels for biota. This manuscript summarizes studies on OCP levels in the air, water, sediment, bivalves, fish, and marine mammals of the South American coasts and open waters over the last 20 years, tackling their spatial distribution and analyzing their associated ecotoxicological risk. RECENT FINDINGS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study integrating all available information on current levels of OCPs in South American marine environments. The 63 researches reviewed studied punctual sites or environmental compartments. The OCP levels were higher in semi-enclosed environments such as bays and estuaries, close to large cities. In terms of individual OCPs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its degradation products were more abundant than other OCPs in all the environmental compartments, excepting air, for which the most abundant OCP was endosulfan. Depending on the location and the environmental matrix, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), heptachlors, mirex, and endosulfans followed DDTs. Aldrin, dieldrin and endrin, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and chlordanes were found at very low levels in most matrices and sites, with some exceptions. Considering their potential ecotoxicological risk, most sites would be safe for biota; however, the levels of some OCPs could damage the structure and function of the communities of several coastal sites in a short or long term, mainly in southeastern Brazil and on the coast of the Argentine Pampas. Moreover, it remains to evaluate many sites potentially contaminated by OCPs.