RESUMO
The purpose of the present study was to analyze the concentrations of lead, cadmium and mercury in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and veined rapa whelks (Rapana venosa) caught in the Varna Bay of Black Sea and to evaluate the risk for human health from the presence of the three heavy metals. The highest average concentrations in mussels were those of cadmium (0.280â¯mg/kg), followed by lead (0.251â¯mg/kg) and mercury (0.017â¯mg/kg). Veined rapa whelks also showed highest levels of cadmium (1.113â¯mg/kg), followed by lead (0.045â¯mg/kg) and mercury (0.034â¯mg/kg). EDI values for adults consuming mussels and veined rapa whelks were below the published RfDo and PTWI values. All THQ and HI values were below 1. The consumption of M. galloprovincialis and R. venosa caught in the Varna Bay, Black Sea, did not pose any risk for the health of adult people as lead, cadmium and mercury were concerned.
