Abstract

Perinereis gualpensis Jeldes, an organism characteristic of Chilean estuarine fauna, was used as a biomonitor for copper, manganese and lead in the Biobio river estuary (VIII Region, Chile). Metal concentrations were determined in water and sediments inhabited by the polychaete. Quantification of metals was done by means of flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and a graphite furnace. Certified reference material (NRC, Canada) was used as validation of the methodology. The results enabled us to conclude that there was some relationship between the concentrations of metals in the polychaetes and that of their surrounding water and sediments.