Measurement of stress effects (scope for growth) and contaminant levels in mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from the Irish Sea

Widdows, J.; Донкин, П.; Staff, Frederick J.; Matthiessen, Peter; Law, Robin; Allen, Yvonne; Thain, John E.; Allchin, Colin R.; Jones, Bryn

doi:10.1016/s0141-1136(01)00120-9

Cited by 171 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Maximum BT values in MH mussels in 1996/7 (Widdows et al, 2002), were higher than any of the current values: TBT and DBT concentrations at Dale are now almost 100% lower than those previously recorded at nearby St. Ishmaels. Theoretically, the global ban on TBT in 2008 should start to produce a further decline in TBT contamination.…”

Section: Tbt and Other Organotinscontrasting

confidence: 70%

“…The highest value on the UK mainland occurred in MH mussels -from St. Ishmaels, in the vicinity of the oil terminal (Widdows et al, 2002). Ferry, has also previously been identified as a TBT 'hotspot', whilst upstream, TBT levels in the Cleddau were considered typical of UK estuaries (Kitts, 1999;Bent, 2000).…”

Section: Tbt and Other Organotinsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Reduced scope for growth (SFG)-a physiological stress response in mussels -was recorded in samples from Milford Haven in 1996 and 1997, much of which was thought attributable to PAHs and, to a lesser extent, organotins, though the authors suggest that other 'unknown' compounds may have also contributed to effects (Widdows et al, 2002). Of all Irish Sea sites sampled, the concentrations of 2-and 3-ring PAHs were highest in mussels from MH, sampled 6 months after the Sea Empress oil spill (>20000 µg kg -1 dw).…”

Section: Bioaccumulation In Milford Haven Waterwaymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In their survey of mussel condition around the Irish Sea in 1996/7, Widdows et al, (2002) found that the concentrations of OT were generally low at coastal sites but elevated near harbours, with ΣBT concentrations ranging from 'not detected' to 0.66…”

Section: Tbt and Other Organotinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concentrations of ∑25 PCB congeners (composition not stated), determined in mussels from Milford Haven (St Ishmaels) in 1996/7, were in the range 0.009-0.013 µg g -1 (Widdows et al, 2002).…”

Section: Pcbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bioaccumulation surveillance in Milford Haven Waterway

Langston

Ohara

Pope

et al. 2011

Environ Monit Assess

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Biomonitoring of contaminants (metals, organotins, PAHs, PCBs) was carried out along the Milford Haven Waterway (MHW) and at a reference site in the Tywi Estuary during [2007][2008]. The species used as bioindicators encompass a variety of uptake routes -Fucus vesiculosus (dissolved contaminants); Littorina littorea (grazer); Mytilus edulis and Cerastoderma edule (suspension feeders); and Nereis diversicolor (omnivore which often reflects contaminants in sediment). Differences in feeding strategy and habitat preference have subtle implications for bioaccumulation trends though, with few exceptions, contaminant body burdens in Milford Haven (MH) were higher than those at the Tywi reference site, reflecting inputs.Elevated concentrations of metals were occasionally observed at individual MH sites, whilst As and Se (molluscs and seaweed) were, for much of MHW, consistently at the higher end of the UK range. However, for the majority of metals, distributions in MH biota were not exceptional by UK standards. Several metal-species combinations indicated increases in bioavailability at upstream sites, which may reflect the influence of geogenic or other land-based sources -perhaps enhanced by lower salinity (greater proportions of more bioavailable forms).TBT levels in MH mussels were below OSPAR toxicity thresholds and in the Tywi were close to zero. Phenyltins were not accumulated appreciably in Mytilus, whereas some Nereis populations may have been subjected to localized (historical) sources.PAHs in Nereis tended to be evenly distributed across most sites, but with somewhat higher values at Dale for acenaphthene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene; naphthalenes tended to be enriched further upstream in the mid-upper Haven (a pattern seen in mussels for most PAHs). Whilst concentrations in MH mussels were mostly above reference site and OSPAR backgrounds, it is unlikely that ecotoxicological guidelines would be exceeded. PCBs in mussels were between upper and lower OSPAR guidelines and were unusual in their distribution in that highest levels occurred at the mouth of MH. Condition indices (CI) of bivalves (mussels and cockles) were highest at the Tywi reference site and at the seaward end of MH, decreasing upstream along the Waterway. There were a number of significant (negative) relationships between CI and body burdens and multivariate analysis indicated that a combination of contaminants could influence the pattern in condition (and sub-lethal responses such as MT and TOSC) across sites. Cause and effect needs to be tested more rigorously in future assessments.

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Section: Tbt and Other Organotinscontrasting

confidence: 70%

Section: Tbt and Other Organotinsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Bioaccumulation In Milford Haven Waterwaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tbt and Other Organotinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pcbsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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