Copper, zinc and chromium in water, sediments and biota in the pampean Chascomús lake (Argentina)

BARLA M. J., ESCARAY, R. U., BUSTINGORRY J. F.

NATURA NEOTROPICALIS

ASOCIACIÓN DE CIENCIAS NATURALES DEL LITORAL

Lugar: Santo Tomé; Año: 1999 vol. 30 p. 67 - 76

0329-2177

Contamination caused by heavy metals (copper, zinc and chromium) was studied in a Pampean lake and its biomagnification was considered. The samples were taken seasonally in different sites of the Chascomús lake during 1996 and 1997. The three elements were measured in water, sediment, fish muscle and viscerae,  clam muscle, phytoplankton and zooplankton. The concentration was higher than the limits allowed for acuatic life by international and domestic legislation. Spatial and temporal differences were detected both in water and sediments. The average value of total copper observed in water was 1.78 mg/l. The average value of total zinc in water was 0.19 mg/l. A higher quantity of zinc than copper was accumulated in the sediments. Hexavalent chromium was of  0.12 mg/l in its average value. Accumulation was found in the viscerae and muscles of the ichthyofauna. In the benthic zone fauna, copper concentration in muscle decreases according to the species´ swimming capabilities. In the limnetic zone fauna the concentration increases in higher  trophic levels.