Metales pesados en organismos marinos de la zona costera de la Patagonia Argentina continental

Abstract

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.