Abstract

ALVAREZ F., Pedro P.  and  SANTIAGO CH., Carlos A.. Absence of domoic acid biotoxin at Villa Wetlands, Chorrillos, Peru. Ecol. apl. [online]. 2006, vol.5, n.1-2, pp.167-170. ISSN 1726-2216.

The present work was carried out with the aim of determining if in the open water, during prevailing conditions of a phenomenon designated as «red tide» in the 2003 summer, at Villa Wetlands, Chorrillos, Lima, Peru, domoic acid, a biotoxin, could explain the possible increase in waterfowl deaths. A red color water sample was analyzed for domoic acid by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), using a Shimatzu LC-10 A equipment with an automatic injector and UV detection with a photodiode array detector. No domoic acid was found in the sample. Many microorganisms of the Euglena genus were found with red cromatophores. In conclusion, the lack of domoic acid in the Villa Wetlands, Chorrillos may explain why waterfowl deaths did not continue to rise and were considered only as a circumstantial event. The red coloration in the open water was due to the presence of microorganisms of the Euglena genus. The effects of eutrophication, similar findings in other places and the importance of continuous monitoring are discussed.

Keywords : domoic acid; Euglena; red tide; Villa.

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