COPPER CONTENTS IN MEDITERRANEAN ECOSYSTEMS IN SOUTH AMERICA

Copper mining activities are very important in central Chile.Like other metals, copper is a nutrient for most plants at lowconcentration levels; however, at higher levels it may becometoxic. At present, copper abundance in mediterraneanecosystems is unknown both for vegetation and soils. In thisstudy, two localities of the Coastal Range in central Chilewere studied. Copper content was found to be mainly related tosite type, and secondly to the components of the ecosystem.Copper contents are similar to other mediterranean ecosystemsof the world. Soil was found to represent the main source ofdata variation.