Resumo

CASTILLO, Alexis  e  VALDES, Jorge. Metal contents in Cancer polyodon (Crustacea: Decapoda) in a bay system of northern Chile (27°S). Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res. [online]. 2011, vol.39, n.3, pp. 461-470. ISSN 0718-560X.

The contents of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Fe, Al and Ni in the muscle tissue of Cancer polyodon from Caldera, Calderilla, Inglesa, and Salada bays (Atacama, Chile) were quantified. The results were compared with similar studies by other authors and with the national and international regulatory standards for heavy metal contents in crustaceans for human consumption. In increasing order, the metal contents in C. polyodon were: Cd< Ni< Cu< Pb< Zn<Fe< Al. Mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, Fe and Al were highest in Salada Bay: Cu and Ni were highest in Caldera Bay; and Zn was highest in Inglesa Bay. All the metals except Cu differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the analyzed bays. Of the seven metals analyzed, Pb, Fe, and Al concentrations in C. polyodon were higher than those reported for other coastal systems. Concentrations of Cu (except Calderilla), Cd (except Caldera and Inglesa), and Pb exceeded the threshold values indicated by the national and international standards, suggesting that the presence of these metals in C. polyodon represents a potential risk for human health.

Palavras-chave : Cancer polyodon; metals; contamination; Atacama; northern Chile.