Recovery of normal cytogenetic records in mussels after cessation of pollutant effluents in Puerto Madryn (Patagonia, Argentina)

Abstract

The capacity of coast recovering after interruption of pollution sources has been explored employing mussels as biomarkers. In an area polluted by sewage sludge in Puerto Madryn (Argentina), abnormally high cytogenetic records (micronuclei) had been detected in the mussel Mytilus edulis, even higher than those obtained in this and other mussel species (Brachydontes rodriguezi, Aulacomya atra atra, Perumytilus purpuratus) sampled from heavily polluted industrial areas, and much higher than those recorded in samples from unpolluted areas of the same region. Normal cytogenetic patterns were recovered in Puerto Madryn less than 1 year after cessation of sewage sludge discharges, without additional treatment of the affected area. This discovery opens the possibility of considering restored coastal areas for aquaculture purposes instead of endangering natural populations in virgin areas.