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The Ventanas copper smelter began its activities in Quintero Bay in 1960, and it is estimated that it has released around 152 tons of copper per year into the waters of the bay since then. The increasing copper concentrations in the sediments exceed international standards and pose a potential danger for marine fauna. The object of this work carries out a present and historical ecological risk assessment of copper concentrations in the marine sediment of Quintero Bay. Copper concentration profiles in sediments from the bay were studied to compare present concentration data with a chronological estimate obtained using the 210Pb excess activity age model. A protective value of HC 5 of 338 mg kg-1 and a PNEC of 33.8 mg kg-1 were estimated. The results showed a background concentration before 1964 with no ecological risk (30.3 mg kg-1; RQ < 1); subsequently, the concentration was found to increase from 45.2 mg kg-1 in 1964 to a maximum of 85.4 mg kg-1 in 1990, with RQ values between 1.3 and 2.5. Concentrations in sediments over the period 1997-2022 presented maximum values between 70 and 283.6 mg kg-1. The ecological risk characterization showed that all sites presented a risk to biodiversity (RQ > 1), with a probability of occurrence of 0.44-77.56 %. This research highlights the need to develop quality standards that consider the sensitivity of local species, and to use the ecological risk assessment methodology to support business management and reduce the environmental impact in industrial areas such as Quintero., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The global aquaculture industry has grown exponentially in recent years using to control of infections and diseases, a variety of veterinary drugs (VMP) are used, including antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics, which have different routes of emission, environmental persistence and side effects to aquatic organisms, becoming one of the main concerns in its use of veterinary drugs (VMP) and its potential toxicological impact on the environment, in this context, Chile is considered one of the main salmon producers. Ecological risk assessment of active principles used infreshwater fish farms worldwide and in Chile were investigated. We recollect a physical - chemical properties of active principles used by fish farms and we could estimate the relative hazard a priori. Later active principles grouped as antibiotics (n = 6), antiparasitics (n = 5), anesthetics (n = 3), and disinfectants (n = 7) were assessed using a mass balance model based on fugacity was developed for each active principle under treatments via immersion and food administration in fish, while a volumetric model for disinfectants and sodium chloride was used for estimating the predicted environmental concentration (PEC), under a real smolt farming scenario in fish farms. Ecotoxicological data were collected from open literature to predict the no-effect concentration (PNEC). The ecological risk assessment was characterized using a risk quotient (RQ = PEC/PNEC) based in two assessment tiers. Results revealed that 12 active ingredients showed a high risk (RQ ≥ 1), thus indicating that adverse effects could occur and further investigation with measured concentrations in the field are required to reduce exposure in surface waters., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers' bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The marine ecosystem of the Chilean Patagonia is considered structurally and functionally unique, because it is the transition area between the Antarctic climate and the more temperate Pacific region. However, due to its remoteness, there is little information about Patagonian marine biodiversity, which is a problem in the face of the increasing anthropogenic activity in the area. The aim of this study was to analyze community patterns and environmental characteristics of scavenging crustaceans in the Chilean Patagonian Sea, as a basis for comparison with future situations where these organisms may be affected by anthropogenic activities. These organisms play a key ecological role in marine ecosystems and constitute a main food for fish and dolphins, which are recognized as one of the main tourist attractions in the study area. We sampled two sites (Puerto Cisnes bay and Magdalena sound) at four different bathymetric strata, recording a total of 14 taxa that included 7 Decapoda, 5 Amphipoda, 1 Isopoda and 1 Leptostraca. Taxon richness was low, compared to other areas, but similar to other records in the Patagonian region. The crustacean community presented an evident differentiation between the first stratum (0-50 m) and the deepest area in Magdalena sound, mostly influenced by Pseudorchomene sp. and a marked environmental stratification. This species and Isaeopsis sp. are two new records for science. The discovery of undescribed species evidences that this region needs further studies exploring its biodiversity, which is most likely being already impacted by anthropogenic pressure.

The suitability of Mazzaella laminarioides and Sarcothalia crispata as heavy metal biomonitors of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn was assessed by comparing bioaccumulation of these elements in different life stages and frond sizes in samples from three locations, San Vicente Bay (industrial area), Coliumo, and Quidico (the latter as a reference station), where different degrees of heavy metal pollution are recorded. Bioaccumulation and bioconcentration factors of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were evaluated. The two macroalgae species showed similar patterns, with higher values of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in polluted areas. M. laminarioides bioaccumulated higher concentrations of all metals assessed than S. crispata, independent of life stage and frond size. The results also showed significantly higher Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations (p < 0.05) in water samples from San Vicente Bay than those measured in Coliumo and Quidico. Concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn in San Vicente Bay and Cd, Hg, and Pb in Coliumo and Quidico exceed the mean values considered to represent natural concentrations (Cu = 3.00 μg L -1 ; Zn = 5.00 μg L -1 ; Pb = 0.03 μg L -1 ; Cd = 0.05 μg L -1 ; Hg = 0.05 μg L -1 ); however, the concentrations recorded do not cause negative effects on the growth and survival of macroalgae. The assessment of heavy metals bioaccumulated in M. laminarioides and S. crispata, particularly Hg, Pb, and Zn, offers a reliable approach for pollution assessment in rocky intertidal environments. Cu and Cd concentrations in seawater samples from San Vicente and Coliumo Bays were significantly higher than in those from Quidico (p value < 0.05); no significant differences in Cd concentrations were observed between San Vicente and Coliumo Bays (p < 0.05). Exceptionally, Cd is bioaccumulated at high levels independent of its availability in the water, thus reaching high concentrations in control areas. High concentrations of metals like Cu and Zn may limit or inhibit Cd uptake in macroalgae, since the transport channels are saturated by some metals, reducing the accumulation of others. These macroalgae species offer good potential for the development of suitable heavy metal pollution survey tools in rocky intertidal environments.