Abstract

A study was undertaken in the Bay of San Vicente (Concepción, Chile) to investigate the influence of seasonal variables, location and biological and environmental factors on the bioaccumulation of CH3Hg and total Hg in liver and foot muscle of Tagelus dombeii. The results obtained demonstrate that the bioaccumulation of both CH3Hg and total Hg are most pronounced in winter, with an average accumulation of total Hg in the liver double that of the foot muscle. The location of the sample determines the extent of accumulation of both CH3Hg and total Hg in both tissues. The sex and age of T. dombeii are the most important biological variables in the determination of bioaccumulation of CH3Hg and total Hg in the liver. Males accumulate approximately 50% more total Hg than females and accumulation increases with age. High levels of total Hg were detected in suspended particulate matter, sediments and anthropological sources and demonstrate the clear influence of the environment on the bioaccumulation of both CH3Hg and total Hg in the tissues of individuals. Given the ability to bioaccumulate and the fact that the population is genetically homogeneous, make T. dombeii an excellent choice for monitoring mercury accumulation in marine environments.