Abstract

We measured the concentration and distribution of Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Fe, Al, and Zn in the marine sediments of four bays (Caldera, Calderilla, Inglesa, and Salada) in the Atacama Region, Chile. Average global concentrations were: 85.5 mg kg(-1) for Cu, 87.9 mg kg(-1) for Zn, 37.7 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 22.7 mg kg(-1) for Ni, 117.8 mg kg(-1) for V, 0.09% for Fe and 0.1 mg kg(-) for Al. A statistical analysis of the metal distributions and contents in these bays revealed three different groups: Caldera Bay, with a high degree of industrialization (mainly mining-related activities); Calderilla Bay with marine farming and industrial fishery activity; and Inglesa and Salada bays, both with intense marine farming and little or no influence from industrial mining or fishery activities. The geoaccumulation index and environmental quality standards for sediments indicated incipient enrichment of the metals measured in these bays associated with the anthropogenic activity carried out in the zone, but at the moment, these metals only present an occasional risk for benthic communities.