Article: Ecotoxicity and water quality assessment of the Reconquista River (Buenos Aires, Argentina) by standardised bioassays on early developmental stages of a native amphibian (Rhinella arenarum) Journal: International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP) 2025 Vol.75 No.3 pp.149 - 161 Abstract: This work evaluated the water quality of the middle and lower basin of the Reconquista River, one of the most affected water bodies in Argentina, by physicochemical and ecotoxicological parameters. Physicochemical parameters were analysed in situ and in the laboratory in water samples from 10 sites distributed in the basin. Standardised toxicity bioassays were carried out with embryos and larvae of the native amphibian, Rhinella arenarum, exposed to dilutions of the surface water samples for a chronic (504 h) period. Water quality indexes (WQI) revealed a marked deterioration of the water and evidenced a clear spatial pattern with higher contamination at the central section which also caused a higher significant mortality in both embryos and larvae. The results demonstrate the substantial degradation of this water body and highlight the detrimental impact on the biota and aquatic ecosystem. These findings emphasise the need for an integrated approach to environmental concerns, using multiple indicators and information as an integrative approach of environmental quality assessment. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Ecotoxicity and water quality assessment of the Reconquista River (Buenos Aires, Argentina) by standardised bioassays on early developmental stages of a native amphibian (Rhinella arenarum)

Authors: C.M. Aronzon; M.C. Barreiro; J. Peluso; V.N. Salomone; M. Tascón; G.V. Svartz

Addresses: IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sustentabilidad, Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 1425, Argentina ' IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sustentabilidad, Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 1425, Argentina ' IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sustentabilidad, Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 1425, Argentina ' IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sustentabilidad, Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 1425, Argentina ' IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sustentabilidad, Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 1425, Argentina; Centro de Estudios sobre Patrimonios y Ambiente (Escuela de Hábitat y Sostenibilidad -Escuela de Arte y Patrimonio), Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina ' IIIA-UNSAM-CONICET, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Escuela de Hábitat y Sustentabilidad, Campus Miguelete, Av. 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, 1425, Argentina

Abstract: This work evaluated the water quality of the middle and lower basin of the Reconquista River, one of the most affected water bodies in Argentina, by physicochemical and ecotoxicological parameters. Physicochemical parameters were analysed in situ and in the laboratory in water samples from 10 sites distributed in the basin. Standardised toxicity bioassays were carried out with embryos and larvae of the native amphibian, Rhinella arenarum, exposed to dilutions of the surface water samples for a chronic (504 h) period. Water quality indexes (WQI) revealed a marked deterioration of the water and evidenced a clear spatial pattern with higher contamination at the central section which also caused a higher significant mortality in both embryos and larvae. The results demonstrate the substantial degradation of this water body and highlight the detrimental impact on the biota and aquatic ecosystem. These findings emphasise the need for an integrated approach to environmental concerns, using multiple indicators and information as an integrative approach of environmental quality assessment.

Keywords: water quality; physicochemical parameters; toxicity bioassays; amphibians; Reconquista River.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2025.150802

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2025 Vol.75 No.3, pp.149 - 161

Received: 03 Apr 2024
Accepted: 07 Apr 2025
Published online: 23 Dec 2025 *

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Title: Ecotoxicity and water quality assessment of the Reconquista River (Buenos Aires, Argentina) by standardised bioassays on early developmental stages of a native amphibian (Rhinella arenarum)

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