Abstract

Sediment quality was analyzed for total organic matter (TOM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metals (Cd, Pb, and Cu), and non-specific toxicity at four Chilean ports with different cabotage activities. TOM was analyzed by ignition, metals by polarography, PAHs by GC- MS, and non-specific toxicity with the fecundation technique (USEPA 1988). The ports at Iquique, San Vicente, and Talcahuano had muddy sediments with high TOM concentrations (ca. 12%). PAHs concentrations were highest at San Vicente (18,930 μg kg-1 benzo(b)fluorantene; 10,820 μg kg-1 benzo(a)anthracene; 8,550 μg kg-1 benzo(a)pyrene), whereas metal concentrations were greatest at Iquique (20 μg g-1 Cd; 370 μg g-1 Pb; 514 μg g-1 Cu). The sediments at the Patache port were fine sand with low TOM, metal, and PAHs contents. The toxicity assays differed significantly from the controls. Iquique and Talcahuano were the most polluted sites in terms of metal contents according to the ICUI (Urban and Industrial Contamination Index) and San Vicente was the most affected in terms of this index and the PAHs Addition Index (IA HAPs). We propose that synergies between the pollutants, more than the contents of each one of these, are responsible for the toxicity of the sediments.