Abstract

FRIAS-ESPERICUETA, Martín G; ORTIZ-ARELLANO, Monica A; OSUNA-LOPEZ, J. Isidro  and  RONSON-PAULIN, J. Angel. Heavy metals in the rock oyster Crassostrea iridescens (Filibranchia: Ostreidae) from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 1999, vol.47, n.4, pp.843-849. ISSN 0034-7744.

Two populations of Crassostrea iridescens were sampled off Mazatlan and in a zone free of anthropogenic activity. The bivalves were collected from February 1992 to February 1993. Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Annual mean values in the sampling zone off Mazatlan were higher in Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn than in the sampling zone free of anthropogenic activity; however, differences were not statistically significant at 95% confidence level. Urban discharges in the coastal zone in front of Mazatlan city, have little or no heavy metal concentrations dissolved or particulated.

Keywords : Crassostrea iridescens; heavy metals; urban discharges; oyster.