The aim of this work was to study the distribution of relevant inorganic contaminants in environmental samples from Ciudad de la Costa, the second most populated city of Uruguay. For this task aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) levels were determined in sand, water, and plant material from six beaches that are located in the area. Analytical methods were successfully validated. Accuracy was ensured by using certified reference materials and spiking procedures. Average metal concentrations in sand and water samples were compared with the maximum limits established by international or national regulations (when available), being far below these limits in all cases. This may indicate that the inorganic contamination in the studied area is rather low, despite the rapid increase in anthropic activities in recent years. To give a deeper characterization of the ecosystem, metal accumulation and mobility within a common plant of the zone, Ammophila arenaria, were studied. Results showed that concentrations in roots were one order of magnitude higher in comparison to aerial parts. In addition, the bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC) showed that the plant accumulates Cd, Cr and Ni, while a low accumulation for Pb was observed. Finally, a Cr(VI) speciation analysis in Ammophila arenaria was performed, showing Cr(VI) percentages below 4.6%, which is relevant from the (eco)toxicological point of view due to the high environmental mobility and bioavailability of this valence state. This work constitutes the first environmental surveillance report of this kind, regarding this populated area of the country.

这项工作的目的是研究乌拉圭人口第二大城市科斯塔城环境样本中相关无机污染物的分布。在这项任务中，测定了该地区六个海滩的沙子、水和植物材料中铝 (Al)、镉 (Cd)、铬 (Cr)、镍 (Ni) 和铅 (Pb) 的含量。分析方法已成功验证。通过使用经过认证的参考材料和加标程序来确保准确性。将沙子和水样中的平均金属浓度与国际或国家法规（如果有）规定的最大限值进行比较，在所有情况下都远低于这些限值。这可能表明，尽管近年来人类活动迅速增加，但研究区域的无机污染相当低。为了更深入地描述生态系统，研究了该地区常见植物Ammophila arenararia内的金属积累和流动性。结果表明，根部的浓度比地上部分高一个数量级。此外，生物累积系数（BAC）显示植物积累了Cd、Cr和Ni，而Pb的积累量较低。最后，对Ammophila arenararia进行了Cr(VI) 形态分析，结果显示 Cr(VI) 百分比低于 4.6%，这从（生态）毒理学的角度来看是相关的，因为这种价态具有较高的环境流动性和生物利用度。这项工作是关于该国这一人口稠密地区的第一份此类环境监测报告。