Distribution and relationships of trace metals in soft tissue, byssus and shells of Mytilus edulis trossulus from the southern Baltic.

Concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Ag, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Mn, and Fe in soft tissues, shells and byssus of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis trossulus) from 23 sites along the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea were determined by AAS method. Byssus, as compared with the soft tissue, concentrated more effectively Pb, Cu, Cr, and especially Ag, Ni, Mn and Fe, moderately Hg and Zn and less effectively Cd. Significant inter-regional and inter-size differences in metal concentrations in both soft tissues and byssus were recorded. Highly significant correlations (P<0.01, P<0.05) were observed between tissue and byssal concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni and Ag. Factor analysis showed clear separation of both the tissue and byssi samples based on their geographic distribution, possibly reflecting a different rate of deposition of clay minerals at the head of the Pomeranian Bay and the Gulf of Gdansk. The Pomeranian Bay differs from the Gulf of Gdansk in respect to geological structure of bottom sediments as a substrata for the M. edulis trossulus as well as in relation to various sources of metallic pollutants. From the data obtained in the present study and those reported previously the soft tissue and especially byssus of M. edulis, in contrast to shells, appear to be a significantly better bioindicator for identification of coastal areas exposed to metallic contaminants.

Mercury and other trace metals (Ag, Cr, Co, and Ni) in soft tissue and byssus of Mytilus edulis from the east coast of Kyushu Island, Japan.

Concentrations of Hg and other metals such as Ag, Cr, Co and Ni in soft tissues and byssi of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) from three sites along the east coast of Kyushu Island, Japan, were determined by a cold-vapor technique. Large inter-regional differences in metal concentrations in both soft tissues and byssi were observed. The tissue concentrations of Hg were significantly greater in M. edulis from the most contaminated locations (Saganoseki) compared to those from a non-industrialized area (Urashiro). It is evident that, compared to the soft tissue, byssus is a more sensitive biomonitor for Hg, Cr, Co and Ni. From the data obtained in the present study evidently results that the soft tissue and especially byssi of M. edulis appear to be good bioindicators for identification of coastal areas exposed to Hg contaminants.

Distribution of mercury and other trace metals in the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum from the Mediterranean Lagoon Etang de Thau.

The concentrations of Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Fe in the soft tissue of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum from six sites along the Mediterranean Lagoon Etang de Thau were determined by AAS; Hg was determined by the cold-vapor technique. Significant spatial variations in metal concentrations within the lagoon were recorded. Elevated levels of tissue Pb, Cr, and Hg in the Etang des Eaux Blanches, an area adjacent to the harbor and highly industrialized region, are likely of anthropogenic origin. Seasonally dependent variations in the tissue concentrations of trace elements at Crique de l'Angle were observed. The highest levels of Cr and Pb in the tissue were identified in March 1992, of Hg, Co, and Fe in period August 1990-January 1991, of Mn in August 1992, and Ag in January 1991. The gills contained the maximum amounts of Co and Ni, the mantle the most Fe and Hg, and the digestive gland (hepatopancreas) had most Cu.

Bioaccumulation of selected trace elements in lung nematodes, Pseudalius inflexus, of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in a Polish zone of the Baltic Sea.

Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Mn and Fe were determined by AAS in lung nematodes and their host organ of harbor porpoise in the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea. Correlation coefficients computed for all element pairs indicate significant co-associations between concentrations of Zn and Mn as well as Mn and Fe in P. inflexus and the host organ, and for the pair Cu-Cr in the parasite. Based on both concentration and discrimination factors it is well documented that the metals studied, especially Fe, Mn and Zn are bioaccumulated in P. inflexus with respect to the host lung, showing significant inter-specimen variations.

Distribution and association of trace metals in soft tissue and byssus of Mytilus edulis from the east coast of Kyushu Island, Japan.

Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ag, Cr, Co Ni, Mn, andFe in soft tissues and byssi of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) fromthree sites along the east coast of Kyushu Island, Japan, were determined byAAS method. Large inter-regional differences in metal concentrations in bothsoft tissues and byssi (Cu, Cd, and Pb and Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Mn, and Fe,respectively) were recorded. Highly significant correlations (p< 0.01) were observed between tissue and byssal concentrations of Pb,Cu, Zn, and Mn. The tissue concentrations of Cu, Cd, and Pb were two ordersof magnitude greater in Mytilus edulis from expected to be themost contaminated locations compared to those from a nonindustrialized area. Intercomparison of the present study data with those published previouslyindicates that the soft tissue and especially byssus are useful in detectingsome areas of some metallic contaminants. The high concentrations of Cd, andespecially Pb and Cu, in Saganoseki mussels and moderately elevatedconcentrations of these metals in Akamizu mussels may be attributed to theanthropogenic emissions from a metallic refinery and an artificial fiberfactory, respectively. It is evident that, compared to the soft tissue, theincrease of Cu levels relative to Zn levels in the byssi of M.edulis are eight times higher, with a slope b (Cu/Zn) of 7.5 for byssusand 0.93 for soft tissue. This suggests that byssus, as compared to softtissue, is a more sensitive bioindicator for Cu. From the data obtained, thesoft tissue and especially byssi of M. edulis appear to be goodbioindicators for identification of coastal areas exposed to metalliccontaminants.