Abstract

Cartagena Bay is an estuary of great commercial importance since supports the artisan fisheries of the region. This bay has been affected during decades by persistent polluting agents like heavy metals, which are bioaccumulated and biomagnificated through food webs having as final recipient the man. During the months of February, April and June samples of fish and sediments were taken. The objective of this study was to relate the mercury contamination found in fishes to the biotic and abiotic variables. Fish throughout the Bay and sediments of five stations were collected (Zona Industrial, Canal del Dique, Centro, Tierra Bomba y Boca Chica). Also physiochemical variables were taken such as temperature of the water, conductivity, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, organic matter of the sediment and redox potential of sediment and water. There were collected individual of 17 species of fish with commercial importance. The mercury concentrations founded in sediments indicate that there still an important presence of this metal in the Bay and its availability in the ecosystem is related to the physiochemical variables. Mercury concentrations in fish muscle of the carnivorous species are higher to the found in detritivores and planktivores species and are related to the biotic variables such as length, weight and sex. Processes of bioacumulation and biomagnification through the food web were evident. Further sampling will be performed in August and October to complete an annual cycle

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