Biodiversity of rocky intertidal benthic communities associated with copper mine tailing discharges in northern Chile

摘要: Abstract Copper mine tailings have been discharged around the city of Chanaral, in northern Chile, for more than 60 years. This report summarizes a 17-month long monitoring study species richness and biodiversity at five intertidal sites point tailing discharge. Total dissolved copper close to discharge varied between 8.72 μg/l 34.15 μg/l, showing that there has not significant reduction since 1994. However, increased, suggesting possible recovery system. While diversity sessile organisms correlates negatively with copper, mobile invertebrates did correlate metal concentration. To explain observed results we discuss role algal turf interference on distribution reference sites, top-down effect caused by absence carnivores impacted an avoidance strategy some reduce their contact contaminated seawater.