Trace Element Concentrations in the Mediterranean Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819 Caught from Sinop Coast of the Black Sea, Turkey

Abstract

The concentrations of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in the soft parts of Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis caught from the Sinop coasts of the Black Sea have been measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for monitoring metal pollution level in the coastal water seasonally in 2010. In the present study, a statistically significant difference in the concentrations of all metals investigated was observed. The results were compared with previous studies and discussed. It is concluded that the mussels M. galloprovincialis are suitable biomonitors to assess changes in metal pollution in this coastal area of the Black Sea.

Assessment of Metal Pollution in Sediments along Sinop peninsula of the Black Sea

“…The water depth was 10 meters for all stations. The stations were chosen in ways to include hotspots of pollution around Sinop city such as domestic wastewater discharge points (Bat et al, 2001;Bat and Baki, 2014), touristic and fishing activities in coastal zone of Sinop Peninsula (Bat et al, 1999). …”

Study on the behavior of the trace metal and macro minerals in Mytilus galloprovincialis as a bioindicator species: the case of Marmara Sea, Turkey

“…All heavy metals are potential toxins at some concentration, the nonessential metals e.g. mercury, lead and cadmium are particularly toxic at relatively low concentrations (Bat et al 1999). Many heavy metals were accumulated in bivalves and some were also accumulated in the food chain.…”

Heavy Metals in Edible Tissues of Benthic Organisms From Samsun Coasts, South Black Sea, Turkey and Their Potential Risk to Human Health

“…The samples were brought to the laboratory and washed thoroughly with double distilled water then were rinsed with clean seawater to remove sand particles and then placed in about 20 litres of constantly aerated clean seawater for 24 hours to allow depuration (Bat et al 1999). Following elimination of the gut contents the shell of the samples were removed and discarded.…”

“…The size of mussels for marketing changes between 50-80 mm in Europe while the minimum size of the mussels for consumption is approximately 70 mm in length in Turkey (Aral 1999). In this study the size of mussels (6-8 cm) (Bat et al 2012), snails (8-12 cm) (Bat et al 2000) and the carapace length (2.5-3 cm) and width (3-3.5 cm) of crabs were chosen for metal analysis.…”

“…Mytilus galloprovincialis, the Mediterranean mussel, is a species of bivalve have a broad geographical range. It is consumed by humans, thus it is used in monitoring metal pollution (Bat et al 1999;Özden et al 2010). These demersal species are important for transferring energy between trophic levels and to represent coastal environmental conditions.…”