An Assessment of the Potential Use of the Nematode to Copepod Ratio in the Monitoring of Metals Pollution. The Chanaral Case

摘要

We discuss the use of the nematode to copepod ratio in relation to determining the extent of metals impact using the Chanaral area of northern Chile, where the dumping of copper mine tailings has taken place for many years, as an example. Data were collected form 12 beaches in the area on eight occasions between January 1997 and October 1998. We find that the ratio is not a good pre- Dictor of pollution due to the generally low densities of Meiofauna on impacted beaches and the absence of harp- Dictor of pollution due to the generally low densities of Meiofauna on impacted beaches and the absence of harp- Acticoid copepods from those beaches.