Concentrations of heavy metals in the western coast of Venezuela are partly driven by anthropogenic influences. To detect metal changes over time, the waters and sediments from 19 sites, across various marine ecosystems, were sampled seven times between 2000 and 2001 and compared with previous studies. The water samples had mean concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn above the guideline values proposed by NOAA as capable of producing chronic effects in the marine biota. In sediments, the mean Cd concentration also exceeded NOAA's Effects Range-Low values for all habitat types, and in sheltered sites, it exceeded NOAA's Effects Range-Median values. The meta-analysis indicated that metal concentrations in water were higher in