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Growth of the aquaculture industry has triggered the need for research into the potential environmental impact of chemicals used by salmon farms to control diseases. In this study, the antiparasitic pesticides emamectin benzoate (EB), diflubenzuron (DI), teflubenzuron (TE), and cypermethrin (CP) were measured in sediments near salmon cages in southern Chile. Concentrations for EB were between 2.2 and 14.6 ng g − 1 , while the benzoylphenyl ureas DI and TE were detected in the ranges of 0.1 to 1.2 ng g − 1 and 0.8 to 123.3 ng g − 1 , respectively. These results were similar to data reported for the Northern Hemisphere. On the other hand, the pyrethroid CP was detected in higher concentrations, ranging from 18.0 to 1323.7 ng g − 1 . According to reported toxicity data, this range represents a potential risk for benthic invertebrates. This report is the first baseline attempt at assessing antiparasitic pesticide levels in the Chilean Patagonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tantalum (Ta) is a rare transition metal widely used in the manufacture of new technologies such as computers, cell phones, solar panels and implants in biomedicine, and their use is continuously increasing. Most non-essential metals are immobilized in the organism through complexation with proteins, but it is not known if new-technology elements (such as Ta) present the same behavior. In aquatic environments, metals tend to concentrate in biota and some can be biomagnified through the trophic chain, even reaching humans. This study aimed to investigate any possible relationship between Ta and proteins. Invertebrates and fishes were collected from coastal marine ecosystems of northern Chile, Patagonia, and South Shetland Islands (Antarctic Peninsula). A direct positive relationship was found between Ta and total proteins throughout the food chain from marine ecosystems of the Patagonia and the Antarctic Peninsula area, revealing that proteins are probably the pathway by which Ta bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in macroinvertebrates and fish of pristine coastal marine environments. Our data suggest that site-specific factors (e.g., water temperature, pH, geography) may be influencing the environmental fate of Ta. Therefore, further studies are needed to understand the biological implications of this metal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is known that biotransport of POPs occurs by salmonids in the Northern Hemisphere. • Exotic Chinook salmon migrate from the Pacific Ocean to Chilean Patagonian rivers. • The results indicate that there is biotransport of POPs by Chinook salmon. • This is the first report of biotransport of POPs in the Southern Hemisphere. Biotransport is often associated with migration patterns of species, including large, anadromous salmonids. Several studies have reported biotransport of persistent organic pollutants in the Northern Hemisphere, but there is no published information on biotransport ocurring south of the equator. Chile's Patagonia is one of the last largely intact natural areas in the world. The objective of this study was to determine whether persistent organic pollutants are transported by the invasive Pacific Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) from the Pacific Ocean to Chilean Patagonia. Samples of juvenile and adult Chinook salmon were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The results revealed that concentrations of POPs in adults migrating into Patagonian rivers were significantly higher than those found in juveniles migrating seaward. A mass balance analysis indicates that Chinook salmon are a source of persistent organic pollutants to Chilean Patagonia inland waters. Capsule: Biotransport of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) by Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) from the Pacific Ocean to Chilean Patagonia has been confirmed by mass balance of POPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]