Reduction in clearance rate was observed in the mussel Choromytilus chorus in relation to the degree of environmental pollution. Three sampling sites included the polluted San Vicente Bay, middling polluted Corral Bay, and weakly polluted Yaldad Bay in southern Chile. Pollution levels were estimated by quantitative analysis of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mussel tissue from the three sites. Mussels from San Vicente showed lowest clearance rates and highest PAHs levels in both spring 1998 and summer 1999. Populations from Corral and Yaldad showed generally low levels of PAHs, so the mussels from Yaldad showed the highest rates of clearance in comparison to Corral and San Vicente populations. The significant negative relationship (P < 0.001) demonstrated between tissue pollution of the mussels and their clearance rates argues for the usefulness of the method employing a non-destructive biomarker in evaluation of the impact of environmental pollution on marine species