engleski

Monitoring of chlorinated hydrocarbons in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Eastern Adriatic coastal waters

In order to assess the contamination level of the Eastern Adriatic coastal waters by chlorinated hydrocarbons (organochlorines) (HCB, lindan, aldrin, dieldrin, DDE, DDD, DDT, PCBs) a monitoring programme was performed in March 2002 and 2003. Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), very popular and widespread bio-indicator organisms, have been collected from natural populations at 16 locations. The locations were selected in order to cover the pollution most sensitive and endangered areas along the Croatian coast. The general pattern of the organochlorine distribution was characterized by a higher PCBs concentration (average 103.0 ; range 25.4-286.8 ng/g dry wt., in 2002) in relation to the organochlorine pesticides (DDTs average 12.8 ; range 3.4-25.1 ng/g dry wt., in 2002). No significant changes of the level of contamination at the Eastern Adriatic coastal area by the organochlorines during the investigated period were observed. Regarding the spatial distribution, the highest concentration values of the organochlorines were found in mussels collected in the areas, which are densely populated and/or industrially developed. The concentration of all organochlorines was significantly lower than previously reported for the Eastern Adriatic coast. The comparison of the obtained data with those published for different locations showed a lower level of contamination of the investigated area. The comparison of the obtained results with the maximum permissible levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in mussels for human consumption, prescribed by a Croatian legislation, showed that established concentrations were far bellow the prescribed limits, which indicated that the consumption of these organisms is not harmful for humans.

organochlorines; mussels; Adriatic Sea

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