Mercury concentration in bivalve molluscs

Abstract

A total of 85 mussel samples of eight species were examined. Analysis of mercury in the freeze-dried samples was carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry method using direct mercury analyser AMA 254. The analytical procedure for determination of mercury was covered by the quality assurance programme of research and participation in national and international proficiency tests. Concentrations of total mercury in all investigated samples were found to be generally low, in the range of 0.033-0.577 mg/kg of dry weight and of 0.003-0.045 mg/kg of wet weight. The results indicate that obtained levels of mercury in bivalve molluscs are not likely to pose a risk to the health of consumers.

Hydrothermal sulphur bacteria enhance mercury availability for coastal marine organisms

“…The average body weight (BW ind ) in the Caribbean is 67.9kg (Walpole et al, 2012) and was used in the following formula: The Hg concentrations based on wet weight (ww) were converted to dry weight (dw) based concentrations using this formula: The conventional moisture content of 75% was used because it fitted well the values measured for close species, ranging from 73% to 77% (e.g. Elliott et al, 2015; Keshavarz & Jahromi, 2017; Szkoda et al, 2015).…”

Essential and Non-Essential Elements in Razor Clams (Solen marginatus, Pulteney, 1799) from the Domitio Littoral in Campania (Southwestern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)

“…Since the razor clam lives in contact with marine sediments and, like most bivalve species, filters large amounts of water, it tends to accumulate organic and inorganic pollutants from food, water and particulate matter; these xenobiotics may then enter the food chain, posing a risk to consumers [13,[20][21][22][23]. The extent of bioaccumulation is closely related to geographic location; the species, size and feeding behavior of the animal; and the solubility and lipophilicity of the chemicals involved and their persistence in the environment [24].…”