Heavy metal pollution and toxicity assessment in Mallorquin swamp: A natural protected heritage in the Caribbean Sea, Colombia

This work reports the level and ecotoxicity impact of metals in sediments Mallorquín swamp, a protected coastal lagoon Caribbean coast Colombia. The distribution was following decreasing order: Zn > Cu Pb Cd Hg, showing statistically significant differences among sites. average concentrations were about 17 5 times higher, respectively, compared to those background values. Several contamination indices suggested moderate Cu, Zn, strong pollution due Pb. Multivariate analysis revealed spatial variations for its anthropogenic origin, such as municipal industrial wastewater discharges (Pb, Hg) agricultural activities (Cd Cu). These findings showed negative human need apply protective management strategies.