Heavy metal accumulation in environmental matrices and a host–parasite system (Genypterus chilensis–Phocanema cattani) from the Biobío coast, Chile

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Abstract
Heavy metal contamination represents a persistent threat to coastal ecosystems due to its toxicity, environmental persistence, and potential transfer through marine food webs. This study evaluated the accumulation of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in a host–parasite system composed of the red cusk-eel Genypterus chilensis and its parasitic nematode Phocanema cattani, together with associated environmental matrices (water and sediment) collected from four coastal localities of the Biobío Region, Chile (Tomé, Talcahuano, Coronel, and Punta Lavapié). Metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry following acid digestion of biological and environmental samples. Differences among matrices and localities were assessed using generalized linear models. Copper exhibited significant variation among localities and matrices, with markedly higher concentrations in parasites than in host muscle tissues. Cadmium showed significant differences among matrices, reaching its highest concentrations in seawater and displaying elevated accumulation in parasites. Lead differed significantly among localities, with the highest levels recorded in Coronel and the lowest in Punta Lavapié. Overall, metal accumulation patterns reflected the combined influence of local anthropogenic sources and regional oceanographic processes. The high concentrations of Cu and Cd detected in P. cattani demonstrate its strong metal accumulation capacity and support its use as a sensitive bioindicator of coastal contamination. Integrating environmental matrices, host tissues, and parasites provided a comprehensive assessment of contaminant dynamics and trophic transfer in coastal ecosystems. These findings contribute to the understanding of heavy metal pollution in the Biobío coast and highlight the value of host–parasite systems for environmental biomonitoring in industrialized marine environments.

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