HEAVY-METAL DISTRIBUTION IN ZOOPLANKTON FROM BUENOS-AIRES COASTAL WATERS (ARGENTINA)

Total zooplankton samples from Argentinian and Uruguayan Coastal Water s were analysed to determine their heavy metal contents. Zinc, copper, cadmium, iron, lead and manganese concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and metal content distributions we re geographically plotted. Except for cadmium, all the studied metals showed maximum values on the Uruguayan shores, and this was related no t only to the location of the potential metal sources, but also to the hydrographical characteristics of the area. Finally, the suitability of zooplankton as an adequate biological indicator of heavy metal poll ution in coastal environments is discussed.