The use of seaweeds as bioindicators of natural and anthropogenic contaminants in northern Chile

Vasquez J. A.; Guerra N.

Keywords: pollution, chile, zone, impact, algae, mineralization, coastal, bioindicators, seaweed, anthropogenic, bioindication

Abstract

Twelve seaweed species were sampled from 1991 to 1993 in order to detect the impact of natural mineralization and mining in 14 contaminated and non- contaminated areas (between 24° and 30° S - more than 1200 km) along the northern Chilean coast. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to measure the concentration of 17 chemical elements. The results showed high variability in and between species, among sampling sites and times of collection. The high values of heavy metals in seaweeds suggest that these marine organisms can be used as biological indicators for detecting mineralization and anthropogenic impact on coastal marine communities.

Más información

Título de la Revista: HYDROBIOLOGIA
Volumen: 326
Editorial: Springer
Fecha de publicación: 1996
Página de inicio: 327
Página final: 333
URL: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0029663188&partnerID=q2rCbXpz