Sediments and mussel specimens of Mytilus chilensis were analyzed for organic pollutant fingerprints and heavy metals in the Corral Bay area of Valdivia, South Central Chile during the period 2003-2004. GC-MS analysis show hydrocarbon fingerprints corresponding mainly to mixed inputs of aliphatic hydrocarbons of the TPH-diesel fraction and biogenic hydrocarbons, indicating low to medium contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons with high biodegradation of petroleum in sediments at Las Coloradas,

more »

... a Escuela and Corral Bay (C 17 /Pri < 1 and C 18 /Phy < 1). Mussel TPH fingerprints show weathered hydrocarbons resulting in a zone of increased concentration of cyclic respect to acyclic aliphatic components (UCM), indicating the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons. No temporal variation the in concentration of TPH-diesel found in sediments as well as mussels were observed except for samples collected during January 2004. TPH concentration levels in the sediments varied from 0.4 µgg -1 to 33.8 µgg -1 d.w. whereas in mussels varied between 61 µg g -1 and 287 µgg -1 d.w. Heavy metals were also analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry and low concentration as well as no seasonal variations of concentration were found in mussels at each sampling point and a relatively even distribution of metals among stations was observed. Maximum concentrations in all sampling points of sediments were found for Fe (24128-43791 µgg -1 ) and Mn (181-388 µgg -1 ) while the minimum concentration was found for Pb (nd-12 µgg -1 ). According to the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs-NOAA), the concentration levels of Cu and As in all sediment sampling points are above the "Effects Range-Low" (ERL), indicating that there may be a probable toxicity effect over the biota and attention must be paid on a moderate range of priority.