Cu, Pb, and Zn content in sediments and benthic organisms from San Jorge Bay (northern Chile): Accumulation and biotransference in subtidal coastal systems

Abstract

The concentration of Cu, Pb, and Zn was measured in order to evaluate their sediment enrichment and probable biomagnification trends in benthic trophic chains of the coastal zone of San Jorge Bay (northern Chile). The mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Pb were 103.6, 72.6, and 38.6 mg kg-1 , respectively, in sediments and 28.3, 32.5, and 21.9 mg kg-1 , respectively, in organisms. The geoaccumulation index indicated that sectors with industrial activities show some degree of metal enrichment; however, Zn and Pb contents have diminished in recent years, probably as a consequence of the closing of storage facilities for these minerals in the coastal zone of the bay. Evidence of biomagnification was observed in three of the seven coastal sectors studied, and herbivorous and carnivorous species showed the highest transfer factors of these metals. The results of this work suggest a high temporal variability of metal content in sediments and benthic organisms, which can be explained by changes in natural and anthropic factors that control the sources and accumulation of these metals in the coastal area of San Jorge Bay.

Geologic and anthropogenic sources of contamination in settled dust of a historic mining port city in northern Chile: health risk implications

“…Conversely, EFs obtained for As, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, and Zn were generally greater than 20, indicating that their sources cannot be from rocks and soil present in the city ( Table 5 ). To support this conclusion, other studies conducted in marine environments of the Bay of Antofagasta have showed that enrichment of metals such as Cu, Pb, and Zn in coastal waters, bottom sediments, and benthic organisms are related to industrial activities developed along the coastal border of the bay ( Salamanca et al, 2000 ; Lépez, Furet & Aracena, 2001 ; Salamanca, Jara & Rodríguez, 2004 ; Valdés et al, 2010 , 2011 , 2014 , 2015 ; Calderón & Valdés, 2012 ).…”

Spatiotemporal distribution of the bacterial contamination of agricultural and domestic wastewater discharged to a drainage ditch (Sinaloa, Mexico)

“…Las principales actividades económicas de Sinaloa dependen de abundates recursos hídricos y de la calidad del agua (CONAPESCA 2012). Hoy en día se conoce que el agua contaminada de los canales de drenaje agrícola afecta de manera negativa la vida acuática y terrestre en Sinaloa (Escobedo-Urías et al 1999, Haws et al 2006, Ochoa Izaguirre y Soto-Jiménez 2013), México y el mundo (Bagordo et al 2012, Matano et al 2013, Riera et al 2013, Valdés et al 2014, Wu et al 2014. Por otra parte, los canales de drenaje pueden funcionar como humedales artificiales de flujo superficial y disminuir la contaminación del agua y sus efectos negativos, pero éstos deben transportar bajos flujos de agua para favorecer el establecimiento de las plantas acuáticas (Kadlec y Wallace 2009).…”

“…Fecal coliforms, found in the intestine and feces of animals, are indicators of pollution and consequently of water quality, and thus warn about the possible presence of human pathogens. The presence of fecal coliforms in aquatic environments may be due to the abundant incorporation of water contaminated by sewage and other organic wastes from anthropogenic activities (Cupul-Magaña et al 2006, Bagordo et al 2012, Sidhu et al 2012, Barrera-Escorcia et al 2013, Ochoa-Izaguirre and Soto-Jiménez 2013, Valdés et al 2014, Wu et al 2014.…”

“…Las bacterias coliformes fecales, encontradas en el intestino y heces de animales, son indicadores de contaminación y consecuentemente de la calidad del agua, y advierten así sobre la posible presencia de organismos patógenos que pueden afectar la salud humana. Su presencia en ambientes acuáticos puede deberse a la incorporación abundante de aguas contaminadas con excretas y otros desechos orgánicos derivados de actividades antropogénicas (Cupul-Magaña et al 2006, Bagordo et al 2012, Sidhu et al 2012, Barrera-Escorcia et al 2013, Ochoa Izaguirre y Soto-Jiménez 2013, Valdés et al 2014, Wu et al 2014.…”

“…Hence, the main economic activities of Sinaloa depend on sufficient water resources and good water quality (CONAPESCA 2012). It is now known that contaminated agricultural drainage water adversely affects aquatic and terrestrial life in Sinaloa (Escobedo-Urías et al 1999, Haws et al 2006, Ochoa-Izaguirre and Soto-Jiménez 2013, in Mexico, and around the world (Bagordo et al 2012, Matano et al 2013, Riera et al 2013, Valdés et al 2014, Wu et al 2014). On the other hand, agricultural drains can function as artificial surface wetlands and reduce water pollution and its adverse effects, but the drainage flow must be low permitting the presence of aquatic plants (Kadlec and Wallace 2009).…”