title: Effects of a Dam Reservoir on the Distribution of Heavy Metals in Two Chilean Native Freshwater Fish Species.
abstract: In order to determine the effect of a dam on metal concentrations in riverine fish species, we studied fish inhabiting the influent (Cachapoal River) and effluent (Rapel River) of the Rapel Reservoir in central Chile. Heavy metals were quantified in gills, liver and muscle of the catfish Trichomycterus areolatus and the silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus. Also, the bioaccumulation index (BAI) was estimated by considering heavy metal concentrations obtained from water and sediment. Results showed the presence of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in the fish organs. The analysis showed high metal concentrations in catfish inhabiting the influent compared to those collected in the effluent. These results indicate a possible filter effect of the dam for most of the metals identified in the fish organs, because metal concentrations decreased in the effluent. Finally, catfish exhibited a larger BAI for most metals analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. scopaja@uchile.cl.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Copaja
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Nuñez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vila
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.|Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.|Nucleo Milenio de Ecología y Manejo Sustentable de Islas Oceánicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Véliz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002397:Catfishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002677:Chile; D005618:Fresh Water; D005880:Gills / Q000737:chemistry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry; D045483:Rivers; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioaccumulation index; Catfish (Trichomycterus areolatus); Dams; Fish; Fish organs; Heavy metals; Silverside (Basilichthys microlepidotus)