Seasonal variation of metal contamination in the barnacles Pollicipes pollicipes in northwest coast of Portugal show clear correlation with levels in the surrounding water

► Metals were monitored in seawater and Pollicipes pollicipes. ► Water and P. pollicipes metal contents had significant spatial and seasonal variations. ► Bioaccumulation factors of Fe and Cd were higher than those of Cr, Cu, Mn and Zn. ► P. pollicipes can be used for monitoring metal contamination in coastal seawaters.