Heavy Metals in Organisms and Sediments from the Discharge Zone of the Submarine Sewage Outfall of Havana City, Cuba

Surface sediments and sea urchin samples were collected in the vicinity of the discharge zone of the submarine sewage outfall of Havana, Cuba, and heavy-metal concentrations were measured. In the sediment samples, highest metal levels were found at the discharge point and eastward. The pollution loads were observed to be similar to those found 10 yr earlier and were characterized mainly by copper, lead, and zinc. The concentrations of these metals in the Chivo Beach area were found to pose a threat to marine organisms, as indicated by their contents in the bioavailable fraction of the sediments. Sea urchins from the eastern station exhibited the highest levels of most metals.