Copper, copper mine tailings and their effect on marine algae in northern Chile

Results are presented of a long-term research programme on the effect of co pper contamination on biota in Chilean coastal waters. In spite of the magn itude of the copper mining tailings that affected Caleta Palito and surroun dings in northern Chile, the effects on the intertidal assemblages remain r estricted to a small geographic area. Even within the affected area, the ef fects are not homogeneous and there is evidence of active recovery in biolo gical diversity in recent few years. Experimental evidence suggests that th e current low algal diversity and abundance is strongly influenced by herbi vory, although chronic effects of the discharges cannot be ruled out. Cellu lar changes in Enteromorpha compressa from the impacted area were character ised by abnormal granules in the cytoplasm, though these granules did not c ontain detectable levels of copper or other heavy metals.