A Commentary on the Use of Bivalve Mollusks in Monitoring Metal Pollution Levels

Abstract

The objective of this commentary is to promote the use of bivalves as biomonitors, which is a part of the continual efforts of the International Mussel Watch. This commentary is an additional discussion on “Bivalve mollusks in metal pollution studies: From bioaccumulation to biomonitoring” by Zuykov et al., published in Chemosphere 93, 201–208. The present discussion can serve as a platform for further insights to provide new thoughts and novel ideas on how to make better use of bivalves in biomonitoring studies. The certainty of better and more extensive applications of mollusks in environmental monitoring in the future is almost confirmed but more studies are urgently needed. With all the reported studies using bivalves as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution, the effectiveness of using Mussel Watch is beyond any reasonable doubts. The challenge is the development of more accurate methodologies for of heavy metal data interpretation, and the precision of the biomonitoring studies using bivalves as biomonitors, whether in coastal or freshwater ecosystems. Lastly, inclusion of human health risk assessment of heavy metals in commercial bivalves would make the research papers of high public interest.

Trace Elements and Omega-3 Fatty Acids of Wild and Farmed Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) Consumed in Bulgaria: Human Health Risks

“…Being filter-feeding organisms, mussels are used as bioindicators and assest the status of chemical contamination in many countries [10][11][12]. Mytilus galloprovincialis are sentinels, which are considered one of the most suitable indicators of pollution since they have a sedentary nature, sampling easily, capacity for accumulating contaminants, wide geographical distribution, and sensitivity to chemical pollution [9].…”

Effect of the Elemental Content of Shells of the Bivalve Mollusks (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Saldanha Bay (South Africa) on Their Crystallographic Texture

“…The data from the Mediterranean, Cape Town, and other sites in the Saldanha Bay area were used for the comparison of levels of elements in soft tissues of mussels [ 4 , 16 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ] ( Table 4 ) by using a review study of Yap et al [ 34 ]. Our data were in agreement with the ranges of selected elements in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Spain [ 31 ], and the Mediterrainean water area [ 30 , 32 ].…”

Distribution of Heavy Metals in Sediments and Soft Tissues of the <i>Cerithidea obtusa</i> from Sepang River, Malaysia

“…Mollusks are easily obtained from their habitat due to their wide distribution and abundance [2]. Mollusks have the great advantage of being able to be used as bioindicators based on minerals absorbed from their habitat environment [3]. Since these mollusks are one of the important food sources for various living things of beings, it is important to avoid these mollusks being exposed to harmful toxic compounds [4].…”

“…Recently, the accumulation of heavy metals in the shell and soft tissues of mollusks has received much attention [9]. The number of heavy metals in the shells and soft tissues of mollusks and in sediments can be used to assess the degree of contamination levels [3]. The type of diet they consume and how they live has an impact on their ability to deposit heavy metals into the shells and tissues of mollusks.…”