Herbicides in Argentine Pampas Shallow Lakes and Frequency of Testicular Lesions in the Pejerrey Fish (Odontesthes bonariensis)

Abstract

This study assessed the herbicides atrazine (ATZ) and glyphosate (GLP) concentration in water and sediment of Argentine Pampas shallow lakes with agriculture activity (AA) mainly transgenic crops of soybeans and corn on the coast near the water (Cochicó and Guaminí), and in a lake with extensive cattle activity (CA) close to their coasts (La Salada de Monasterio). Also, the concentration of ATZ in the muscle and the frequency of testicular histopathological lesions (THL) of pejerrey fish (Odontesthes bonariensis) were studied. In the water, maximum concentrations of ATZ (0.279 μg l− 1) and GLP (0.015 μg l− 1) were found in Guaminí and Cochicó shallow lakes. For sediments, the maximum concentrations were 32.6, 45.2, and 14.9 μg kg− 1 for ATZ, GLP, and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), respectively in the same shallow lakes. The results showed that 30.6% of the pejerrey sampled had THL being fish from Guaminí (60%) the most affected. Of the pejerrey analyzed for ATZ, 80.82% of them had this herbicide in the muscle. The highest percentage of THL was found again in pejerrey from Guaminí (68.75). with sterility as dominant (59.38%). These findings suggest a possible adverse effect on the gonads related to the herbicides identified in the water, sediments and in muscle which is an alarm signal in using agrochemicals and protecting the fish biota.