engleski

Biomonitoring of trace metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Zn) in the eastern Adriatic using the mediterranean blue mussel

This paper presents results of monitoring of trace metals in the coastal waters of the eastern Adriatic (Croatian coast), during the 2001-2004 period, using the Mediterranean blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as indicator species. The levels of essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential (Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb) trace metals were determined in a whole soft tissue of mussels collected at a grid of sampling stations (20 locations). The mussels from potential pollution ‘ hot spots’ (16 stations) were collected annually, while mussels from 4 shellfish breeding farms where sampled seasonally (4 samples per year). The analyses of Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb were performed by GF-AAS, Zn by F-AAS, and total Hg by CV-AAS. All results were expressed on dry-weight basis (mean water content: 15, 56&plusmn ; 3, 48 %). Although a wide range of concentrations of trace metals were observed (Cd: 0.19-2.00 mg kg-1 wt., Cr: 0.33-5.35 mg kg-1 d.wt., Pb: 0.28-14.17 mg kg-1 d.wt., Cu: 3.1-60.3 mg kg-1 d.wt., Hg: 0.04– 8.58 mg kg-1 d.wt. and Zn: 44-387 mg kg-1 d.wt.), most of the values were lower than 1.0 mg Cd kg-1 d.wt., 2.0 mg Cr kg-1 d.wt., 2.5 mg Pb kg-1 d.wt., 10 mg Cu kg-1 d.wt., 0.5 mg Hg kg-1 d.wt. and 150 mg Zn kg-1 d.wt. The obtained values are in the range of concentrations usually reported for low to moderately polluted areas of Mediterranean. The only exception is copper, whose concentration is slightly higher, being more in the range of values reported for estuaries. As expected, the elevated concentrations of trace metals were determined in the areas with high inputs of industrial, harbor and urban wastes. However, many of the remaining values were similar to those obtained for rural areas, such as shellfish breeding farms. In conclusion, comparison of contaminant concentrations in the edible tissue of mussels from shellfish breeding farms with the Croatian legislation showed that, concerning the studied compounds, the consumption of mussels is not harmful for humans.

trace metals; mussels; biomonitoring

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