Monitoring of chlorinated pesticides and PCBs in the eastern adriatic coastal waters using mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis as indicator

Monitoring of chlorinated pesticides and PCBs, using mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis as indicator species, was performed during the 2002-2006 period along the eastern Adriatic coast. The general pattern of chlorinated hydrocarbons distribution was characterized by higher PCBs concentrations in relation to chlorinated pesticides, reflecting the prevailing influence of industrial sources of contamination over the agricultural ones. The mean value and concentration range for PCBs was 40 (5.6-103) ng/g dw compared with DDTs values 9.7 (2.3-25.1) ng/g dw. Much lower mean values were obtained for HCB, lindane, aldrin and dieldrin (0,15; 0.22; 0.70 and 0.65 ng/g dw), respectively. Regarding spatial distribution, elevated contaminant concentration was found in mussels collected from the areas that are densely populated and/or industrially developed. Analysis of national temporal trends indicated that chlorinated hydrocarbons particularly pesticides are decreasing in concentrations. The comparison of the obtained data with those published for worldwide locations showed a low level of contamination of the study area. Moreover, all established concentrations were far below the maximum permissible levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in mussels for human consumption, prescribed by the Croatian legislation.