Identificación de las alteraciones fisiológicas en <i>litopenaeus</i> <i>vannamei</i> producidas por hábitats contaminados con metales pesados

Abstract

Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp farming is an important economic activity for Ecuador, and for this reason it is important to have adequate environmental conditions for the development of the organisms in the farms. The ponds used for production contain various chemical components, some of which can be harmful to the health of the organisms. This bibliographic review focuses on the description of the main heavy metals (cadmium, copper, lead and mercury) that can be found in the water used for aquaculture and how their presence produces physiological alterations in shrimp. Among the harmful effects produced by heavy metals are alterations at the histological and DNA levels, in addition to being able to negatively influence biological processes such as respiration and growth. Exports are a sector that is also affected, since products containing heavy metal residues are not able to pass the controls established by the different international markets, generating losses for the productive sector and the country's economy. Heavy metals can be present in food and in the environment, and when they come into contact with people they can cause intoxication and lead to the development of pathologies that can even result in death.