Water bodies may be impacted by the activities taking place in their environment, leaving the organisms that inhabit exposed to different types of stressors (physical and / or chemical) which may cause effects of different kind and degree. The group Environmental Toxicology was created in 2012, with research lines that aim to determine the concentration, dynamics and effects of pollutants in marine and freshwater environments, and its impact through the evaluation of biomarkers of environmental stress.

Also, researchers in this group are responsible for the course Ecotoxicology, of the collage career in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Mar del Plata. In this way, teaching tasks are carried out, transmitting knowledge and experience to the students.

–Pollutants and environmental stress: assessment in aquatic and marine organisms.
–Toxicity tests: analysis of the impact of metallic and estrogenic pollutants on aquatic invertebrates.
–Heavy metals: evaluation of the contribution associated with the prolonged application of phosphate fertilizers in the Pampeana Region.
–Biotoxins associated with Harmful Algal Blooms: assessment in top predators of the Argentine sea.
–Alternative natural biocides: effects on bovine cattle.

Director
Dra. Gerpe Marcela
CV-SIGEVA
 Researcher CONICET
Professor

Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., & Gerpe, M. S. (2024). Legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammals from Argentina. Science of The Total Environment, 906, 167561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167561
Polizzi, P. S., Fares Taie, S., Romero, M. B., Ponce de León, A., Davis, R. W., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Rodríguez, D., & Gerpe, M. S. (2023). Hematology and serum chemistry of female South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) from Isla de Lobos , Uruguay. Emerging Animal Species, 8, 100025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eas.2023.100025
Machovsky-Capuska, G. E., von Haeften, G., Romero, M. A., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2020). Linking cadmium and mercury accumulation to nutritional intake in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from Patagonia, Argentina. Environmental Pollution, 263, 114480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114480
Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Mendieta, J., Romero, M. B., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2019). Strategies for cadmium detoxification in the white shrimp Palaemon argentinus from clean and polluted field locations. Chemosphere, 236, 124224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.194
Marcovecchio, J. E., De Marco, S. G., Gavio, M. A., Narvarte, M., Fiori, S. M., Gerpe, M. S., Rodríguez, D. H., López Abbate, M. C., La Colla, N., Oliva, A. L., Zalba, S., Bazterrica, M. C., Guinder, V. A., Spetter, C. V., Fernández Severini, M. D., Arias, A. H., & Botté, S. E. (2019). Chapter 33 - The Northern Argentine Sea. In C. Sheppard (Ed.), World Seas: an Environmental Evaluation (Second Edition) (pp. 759–781). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-805068-2.00039-5
Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Toxicological responses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute, subchronic and chronic exposure to cadmium. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 149, 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.048
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Medici, S., Blando, M., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Preliminary assessment of legacy and current-use pesticides in franciscana dolphins from Argentina. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 101(1), 14–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-018-2352-2
Denuncio, P. E., Paso Viola, M. N., Machovsky-Capuska, G. E., Raubenheimer, D., Blasina, G. E., Machado, R., Polizzi, P. S., Gerpe, M. S., Cappozzo, H. L., & Rodríguez, D. H. (2017). Population variance in prey, diets and their macronutrient composition in an endangered marine predator, the Franciscana dolphin. Journal of Sea Research, 129, 70–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2017.05.008
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Medici, S., Costas, A., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Blood cadmium and metallothionein concentrations in females of two sympatric pinnipeds species. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 122, 446–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.049
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Metals as chemical tracers to discriminate ecological populations of threatened Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(4), 3940–3950.
Cáceres-Saez, I., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Dellabianca, N. A., Guevara, S. R., Goodall, R. N. P., Cappozzo, H. L., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). Hepatic and renal metallothionein concentrations in Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) from Tierra del Fuego, South Atlantic Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 108(1), 263–267.
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). The role of metallothioneins, selenium and transfer to offspring in mercury detoxification in Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 109(1), 650–654.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Quiroga, M., Rodríguez, D. H., Atkinson, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). Reference Intervals of Mineral Elements in Plasma of Anesthetized Free-Ranging Adult Females of South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens. Biological Trace Element Research, 174(2), 325–327. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-016-0734-z
Isla, F. I., Espinosa, M. A., Rubio, B., Escandell, A., Gerpe, M. S., Miglioranza, K. S. B., Rey, D., & Vilas, F. (2015). Avulsion at a drift-dominated mesotidal estuary: The Chubut River outlet, Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Hydrology, 529, 632–639. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022169414010300
Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Robles, A. D., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Histopathological and biochemical evidence of hepatopancreatic toxicity caused by cadmium in white shrimp, Palaemonetes argentinus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 113, 231–240. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651314005314
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Rodríguez Heredia, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Metalotioneínas y peroxidación lipídica como marcadores para determinar el estado de salud del Pingüino Magallánico crónicamente empetrolado en Argentina. Acta Toxicológica Argentina, 23(1), 15–24.
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2014). Metallothioneins pattern during ontogeny of coastal dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 80(1), 275–281.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2013). Fine scale distribution constrains cadmium accumulation rates in two geographical groups of Franciscana dolphin from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 72(1), 41–46. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13002300
Testa, G. M., & Gerpe, M. S. (2013). ¿De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de Medio Ambiente? Una visión integral desde el Derecho y las Ciencias Exactas. La Ley, 51, 1–10. http://ri.conicet.gov.ar/handle/11336/3347
Co-Director
Dra. Polizzi Paula Sabrina
CV-SIGEVA
 Researcher CONICET
Teaching assistant

Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., & Gerpe, M. S. (2024). Legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammals from Argentina. Science of The Total Environment, 906, 167561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167561
Polizzi, P. S., Fares Taie, S., Romero, M. B., Ponce de León, A., Davis, R. W., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Rodríguez, D., & Gerpe, M. S. (2023). Hematology and serum chemistry of female South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) from Isla de Lobos , Uruguay. Emerging Animal Species, 8, 100025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eas.2023.100025
Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Mendieta, J., Romero, M. B., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2019). Strategies for cadmium detoxification in the white shrimp Palaemon argentinus from clean and polluted field locations. Chemosphere, 236, 124224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.194
Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Toxicological responses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute, subchronic and chronic exposure to cadmium. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 149, 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.048
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Medici, S., Blando, M., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Preliminary assessment of legacy and current-use pesticides in franciscana dolphins from Argentina. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 101(1), 14–19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-018-2352-2
Denuncio, P. E., Paso Viola, M. N., Machovsky-Capuska, G. E., Raubenheimer, D., Blasina, G. E., Machado, R., Polizzi, P. S., Gerpe, M. S., Cappozzo, H. L., & Rodríguez, D. H. (2017). Population variance in prey, diets and their macronutrient composition in an endangered marine predator, the Franciscana dolphin. Journal of Sea Research, 129, 70–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2017.05.008
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Medici, S., Costas, A., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Blood cadmium and metallothionein concentrations in females of two sympatric pinnipeds species. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 122, 446–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.049
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Metals as chemical tracers to discriminate ecological populations of threatened Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(4), 3940–3950.
Cáceres-Saez, I., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Dellabianca, N. A., Guevara, S. R., Goodall, R. N. P., Cappozzo, H. L., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). Hepatic and renal metallothionein concentrations in Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) from Tierra del Fuego, South Atlantic Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 108(1), 263–267.
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). The role of metallothioneins, selenium and transfer to offspring in mercury detoxification in Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 109(1), 650–654.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Quiroga, M., Rodríguez, D. H., Atkinson, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). Reference Intervals of Mineral Elements in Plasma of Anesthetized Free-Ranging Adult Females of South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens. Biological Trace Element Research, 174(2), 325–327. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-016-0734-z
Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Robles, A. D., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Histopathological and biochemical evidence of hepatopancreatic toxicity caused by cadmium in white shrimp, Palaemonetes argentinus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 113, 231–240. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651314005314
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Rodríguez Heredia, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Metalotioneínas y peroxidación lipídica como marcadores para determinar el estado de salud del Pingüino Magallánico crónicamente empetrolado en Argentina. Acta Toxicológica Argentina, 23(1), 15–24.
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2014). Metallothioneins pattern during ontogeny of coastal dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 80(1), 275–281.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2013). Fine scale distribution constrains cadmium accumulation rates in two geographical groups of Franciscana dolphin from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 72(1), 41–46. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13002300
Researchers
Dra. Chiodi Boudet Leila Natalia
CV-SIGEVA
 Researcher CONICET

Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Mendieta, J., Romero, M. B., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2019). Strategies for cadmium detoxification in the white shrimp Palaemon argentinus from clean and polluted field locations. Chemosphere, 236, 124224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.194
Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Toxicological responses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute, subchronic and chronic exposure to cadmium. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 149, 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.048
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Medici, S., Costas, A., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Blood cadmium and metallothionein concentrations in females of two sympatric pinnipeds species. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 122, 446–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.049
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Metals as chemical tracers to discriminate ecological populations of threatened Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(4), 3940–3950.
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). The role of metallothioneins, selenium and transfer to offspring in mercury detoxification in Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 109(1), 650–654.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Quiroga, M., Rodríguez, D. H., Atkinson, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). Reference Intervals of Mineral Elements in Plasma of Anesthetized Free-Ranging Adult Females of South American Sea Lion, Otaria flavescens. Biological Trace Element Research, 174(2), 325–327. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12011-016-0734-z
Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Robles, A. D., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Histopathological and biochemical evidence of hepatopancreatic toxicity caused by cadmium in white shrimp, Palaemonetes argentinus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 113, 231–240. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651314005314
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Rodríguez Heredia, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Metalotioneínas y peroxidación lipídica como marcadores para determinar el estado de salud del Pingüino Magallánico crónicamente empetrolado en Argentina. Acta Toxicológica Argentina, 23(1), 15–24.
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2014). Metallothioneins pattern during ontogeny of coastal dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 80(1), 275–281.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2013). Fine scale distribution constrains cadmium accumulation rates in two geographical groups of Franciscana dolphin from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 72(1), 41–46. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13002300
Dra. Romero Maria Belén
CV-SIGEVA
 Researcher CONICET
Teaching assistant

Polizzi, P. S., Fares Taie, S., Romero, M. B., Ponce de León, A., Davis, R. W., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Rodríguez, D., & Gerpe, M. S. (2023). Hematology and serum chemistry of female South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) from Isla de Lobos , Uruguay. Emerging Animal Species, 8, 100025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eas.2023.100025
Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Toxicological responses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute, subchronic and chronic exposure to cadmium. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 149, 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.048
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Ponce de León, A., Medici, S., Costas, A., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Blood cadmium and metallothionein concentrations in females of two sympatric pinnipeds species. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 122, 446–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.05.049
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2017). Metals as chemical tracers to discriminate ecological populations of threatened Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) from Argentina. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(4), 3940–3950.
Cáceres-Saez, I., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Dellabianca, N. A., Guevara, S. R., Goodall, R. N. P., Cappozzo, H. L., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). Hepatic and renal metallothionein concentrations in Commerson’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus commersonii) from Tierra del Fuego, South Atlantic Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 108(1), 263–267.
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., & Gerpe, M. S. (2016). The role of metallothioneins, selenium and transfer to offspring in mercury detoxification in Franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 109(1), 650–654.
Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Robles, A. D., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Histopathological and biochemical evidence of hepatopancreatic toxicity caused by cadmium in white shrimp, Palaemonetes argentinus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 113, 231–240. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651314005314
Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Robles, A. D., Rodríguez Heredia, S., & Gerpe, M. S. (2015). Metalotioneínas y peroxidación lipídica como marcadores para determinar el estado de salud del Pingüino Magallánico crónicamente empetrolado en Argentina. Acta Toxicológica Argentina, 23(1), 15–24.
Polizzi, P. S., Romero, M. B., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Das, K., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2014). Metallothioneins pattern during ontogeny of coastal dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 80(1), 275–281.
Polizzi, P. S., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Denuncio, P. E., Rodríguez, D. H., & Gerpe, M. S. (2013). Fine scale distribution constrains cadmium accumulation rates in two geographical groups of Franciscana dolphin from Argentina. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 72(1), 41–46. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13002300
Graduate Students
Dolagaratz Carricavur Arantxa
 Graduate fellowship

Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Mendieta, J., Romero, M. B., Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2019). Strategies for cadmium detoxification in the white shrimp Palaemon argentinus from clean and polluted field locations. Chemosphere, 236, 124224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.194
Dolagaratz Carricavur, A., Chiodi Boudet, L. N., Romero, M. B., Polizzi, P. S., Marcovecchio, J. E., & Gerpe, M. S. (2018). Toxicological responses of Laeonereis acuta (Polychaeta, Nereididae) after acute, subchronic and chronic exposure to cadmium. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 149, 217–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.048