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Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were analyzed in mollusks, crustaceans (soft tissue -µg/g dry weight), seabirds and marine mammals (kidney, liver and muscle -µg/g wet weight), from Patagonian coast of Argentina. Levels of Hg were undetected or very low. Higher than allowable Cd levels for human consumption were recorded in some mollusks (up to 6.75 µg/g), even though its origin would be mainly natural. Pb concentrations in crustaceans from San Antonio bay (10.00 -13.20 µg/g) were related to an old mining activity. Contents of Cu and Zn were in most cases within the ranges reported in the literature.

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This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. Seasonal variations of trace metals did not appear to influence those of biochemical parameters, which generally showed an opposite trend with higher enzymatic activities in summer when trace metal concentrations were lower. Organisms from Punta Cuevas (control site) showed higher induction of reactive oxygen species production than those from both considered impacted sites, suggesting the possibility of some biochemical adaptation in organisms or a higher modulation of environmental and physiological factors on antioxidant responses than levels of trace metals. This study, which is the first in the area in this matter, showed that seasonal variations of potential biomarkers should be incorporated into interpretation of long-term biomonitoring studies in this marine coastal ecosystem.