Trace Element Concentrations in Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Gulf of Trieste, Slovenia

Abstract

The concentrations of the trace elements zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and iron (Fe) were examined in Mediterranean blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Northern Adriatic Sea to determine whether there were site differences and seasonal variations in metal concentrations and to evaluate the potential health risks of consumption of these mussels to humans. Mussels were collected between January and October 2015 from three Slovenian shellfish harvesting areas and from a lighthouse near Debeli Rtič. The concentrations of elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The amount of each element decreased in the following order: Fe > Zn > (As, Mn) > (Cu, Cr) > (Ni, Co) > (Cd, Pb) > Hg. Statistical analysis revealed that time, that is, the month of sampling, significantly affected the concentrations of elements in mussels (P < 0.05). The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Hg, and Pb were highest between January and March and lowest between May and September. The concentrations of other elements in mussels were not higher or lower for several consecutive months, but occasionally (some months) lower or higher content was detected. The sampling site had a statistically significant effect only on the content of Cd, Pb, and Hg in mussels (P < 0.05). The lowest level of these elements was found in mussels from Seča, and the highest levels of Hg and Pb were found in mussels from Debeli Rtič. Debeli Rtič is, among all sampling points, closest to the outflow of the Soča River that brings heavy metals into the Northern Adriatic Sea from a closed Hg mine. Because the concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Hg in all analyzed samples were below the maximum level permitted by Commission Regulation No 1881/2006, mussels were suitable for human consumption.

Occurrence of trace elements in Mediterranean mussels (<em>Mytilus galloprovincialis</em> Lamarck, 1819) from an experimental pilot farm in the Calich Lagoon (Sardinia, Italy)

“…The maximum levels set by European Regulations (EC Reg. 1881/ 2006) for Cd, Hg, and Pb (1.0, 0.5 and 1.5 mg kg -1 , respectively)were never exceeded (Bajc and Kirbiš, 2019 ). Cd concentrations ( Table 2 ) were in accordance with those recorded in the south-western coast of Sardinia (Piras et al , 2013 ), in the Tyrrhenian coast (Papetti and Rossi 2009 ), and the Gulf of La Spezia (Squadrone et al , 2016 ).…”

“…It is well known that the levels of trace elements in mussels register fluctuations depending on the period of the year in which they are collected (Claisse, 1992 ). The highest metals concentrations are usually recorded in winter and spring and the lowest in summer and autumn (Piras et al , 2013 ; Bajc and Kirbiš, 2019 ). Al showed very high values between the nonessential elements and higher than those described by Squadrone et al ( 2016 ) in the Gulf of La Spezia and more important, by Esposito et al ( 2018 ; 2021 ) in native R. decussatus and M. galloprovincialis collected in the Calich Lagoon.…”

Levels of Hazardous Trace Elements in Estuarine Sediments, Fish, Mussels and Wild Boar Collected From the Raša Bay Area (Croatia)

“…Zn and Cd in Raša wild mussels were lower than in mussel samples in the Gulf of Trieste, Seča (Bajc and Kirbiš, 2019), the Šibenik Bay (Bogdanović et al, 2014) or the Boka Kotorska Bay (Perošević et al, 2018). The concentrations of As, Zn and Cd in Raša mussels were up to 43% lower (21%, 40% and 43% respectively) than in Trieste mussels (Bajc and Kirbiš, 2019). The concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd in Raša mussels were lower up to 2.3 times (4%, 21%, 230% respectively) than in Boka Kotorska mussels (Perošević et al, 2018).…”

Methylmercury and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Seafood: A Molecular Anthropological Perspective

“…MeHg and PAHs concentration in fish also vary with seasons [8,171,[175][176][177][178] and with the geographic origin of the fished specimen, with some areas of the Mediterranean being more polluted than others.…”