Sediment quality evaluation in a strategic port zone: Application of Artemia franciscana and Emerita analoga in Callao Bay, Peru

The ocean, as the largest continuous planetary ecosystem, hosts a vast array of organisms spanning different trophic levels, forming intricate food webs. However, escalating coastal development and natural resource exploitation pose significant risks, particularly pollution, leading to declines in plant and animal populations and habitat degradation. This study aimed to investigate the toxicity of marine sediment quality from Callao Bay, Peru, on marine crustaceans (A. franciscana and E. analoga), examining contamination levels, site-specific effects, and seasonal variability. Four sampling areas were considered and georeferenced using GPS (PA1 = Naval School, PA2 = Peruvian Marine Institute, PA3 = Callao Pier, and PA4 = San Lorenzo Island). Toxicity bioassays were conducted in four seasons (fall, winter, spring, and summer), with physicochemical parameters measured in situ (temperature, pH, salinity, and conductivity). Sediment samples exhibited significant variations in toxicity levels and organism responses. E. analoga showed the highest sensitivity to sediment toxicity compared to A. franciscana, particularly in winter, suggesting its potential as an indicator species for assessing environmental risks. The Pacific sand crab displayed elevated mortality rates at sites PA4 and PA3, as evidenced by higher LC₅₀ values. Overall, these findings underscore the complex relationship between environmental factors, sediment quality, and organism responses, emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring and management strategies to safeguard marine ecosystem health.