Abstract

"PAHs and PCBs were measured in the mussel Perumytilus purpuratus (Lamarck) collected from three different sites along the coast of Valdivia and Valparaiso, South-Central and Central Chile, respectively. Pollution at these sites is considered low with PAHs originating mainly from pyrolytic sources according to the Phenanthrene/Anthracene and Fluoranthene/Pyrene ratios. Temporal variation of PAHs was observed in Valdivia, while site variation was observed along the Valparaiso area. Total PAH concentrations in Valdivia ranged from 29.2 ng/gto 89.5 ng/g in 2001 and from 31.0 ng/g to 48.6 ng/g in 2002 while in Valparaiso samples the total PAHs ranged from 27.3 ng/gto 253.1 ng/g and from 12.1 ng/gto 26.3 ng/g in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Polychlorinated biphenyls were not found in mussels from Valdivia; however five non-planar congeners were detected in samples from Valparaiso with total concentrations between 1.0 ng/g and 16.6 ng/g in 2001 and between 3.4 ng/g and 29.0 ng/g in 2002. The pesticide heptachlor epoxide was detected in all sampling sites of Valdivia during the years 2001-2002 at concentrations ranging between 1 and 3.5 ng/g."