Trace metal sin sea cucumbers, Holothuria-(Halodeima)-mexicana from the Caribbean side of Costa Rica

The concentrations and in-tissue distributions of six metals, were determin ed in sea-cucumbers Holothuria (Halodeima) mexicana Ludwig 1875 from the Co sts Rican Caribbean sea, by the atomic absorption technique. The samples we re taken over a period of 16 months between October 1987 and December 1989, with sizes ranging between 17 and 25 cm long and weights from 280 to 600 g . The metal concentration ranges (mg kg(-1), dry weight), were Cd 0.1-2.5; Pb 0.2-26; Mn 4.1-46; Cu 1.3-69; Zn 14-174; Fe 20-1044, and the respiratory tree was the structure that showed in general the higher levels of metals, except for Cu and Pb which were higher in the muscles and the body wall, r espectively. This paper constitutes an important data base for future compa risons dealing with activities involving coastal impact, since there is no previous information about trace metal content in similar species front thi s region of the Caribbean.