The Panama Canal is a milestone in the history of interoceanic communication. Despite its importance, environmental data regarding this important ecosystem is scarce. The aim of this work was to quantify trace-element levels in bottom sediments from 11 sites along the Canal watershed using ICP-MS, and in the case of mercury, employing a direct Hg Analyzer. These data were associated with the biological activity of aqueous sediment extracts tested on wild type and mutant strains of Caenorhabditis elegans, measuring physiological and molecular markers. The levels of trace elements in bottom sediments decreased in the order Sr > V > Ba > Cr > Li > Sc > Ce > Ni > Y > Co > Ga > Pb > Rb > Nd > La > Gd > Dy > Sm > Pr > Er > Hf > Yb > U > Th > Eu > Ho > Be > Tb > Tm > Ta > Hg. The Pollution factor and Pollution Load Index showed that 36% of the sites presented strong sediment pollution by V, Li, Pb, and Sr. Moreover, the Comprehensive Ecological Risk Index based on Cr and Ni levels was exceeded in all stations. Toxicity tests revealed that sediment extracts, despite not being highly lethal against C. elegans, did significantly reduce its mobility and activated toxicity mechanisms associated with the expression of metallothionein and oxidative stress-related genes. These last three endpoints were statistically related to Cr, Ta and Ba concentrations in sediments, respectively. Data suggest elements present in sediments from Panama Canal may be impacting benthonic organisms, and therefore, stronger management regulations should be considered in order to ensure its sustainability.

巴拿马运河是海洋间交流史上的一个里程碑。尽管具有重要意义，但有关这一重要生态系统的环境数据却很少。这项工作的目的是使用ICP-MS对运河分水岭沿线11个地点的底部沉积物中的痕量元素水平进行定量分析，对于汞而言，采用直接汞分析仪进行定量分析。这些数据与在秀丽隐杆线虫的野生型和突变株上测试的水沉积沉淀物的生物活性有关。，测量生理和分子标记。底部沉积物中痕量元素的含量按以下顺序降低：Sr> V> Ba> Cr> Li> Sc> Ce> Ni> Y> Co> Ga> Pb> Rb> Nd> La> Gd> Dy> Sm> Pr> Er> Hf> Yb> U> Th> Eu> Ho> Be> Tb> Tm> Ta> Hg 污染因子和污染负荷指数表明，有36％的场地受到V，Li，Pb和Sr的强烈沉积物污染，而且所有站点均超过了基于Cr和Ni水平的综合生态风险指数。毒性测试表明，沉淀物提取物尽管对秀丽隐杆线虫没有很高的致死性，确实大大降低了其迁移能力和与金属硫蛋白和氧化应激相关基因表达相关的激活的毒性机制。最后三个端点分别与沉积物中的Cr，Ta和Ba浓度在统计上相关。数据表明，巴拿马运河沉积物中存在的元素可能正在影响底栖生物，因此，应考虑采用更严格的管理规定以确保其可持续性。