Biomonitoring of trace metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Zn) in the eastern Adriatic using the Mediterranean blue mussel (2001-2005)

This paper presents results of trace metal monitoring in the coastal waters of the eastern Adriatic (Croatian coast), during the 2001-2005 period, using the Mediterranean blue mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as indicator species. Levels of essential (Cu, Zn) and non-essential (Cd, Cr, THg, Pb) metals were determined in a whole soft tissue of mussels collected from 20 locations along the eastern Adriatic coast. Examination of the spatial pattern of contaminants revealed two types of metal distribution. Lead, chromium, copper, zinc and total mercury were significantly elevated in the urban and industrial areas. Concentrations of Cr and Cd were more uniformly distributed across all sites. Elevated concentrations of Cd were also found in mussels from rural areas located far away from known anthropogenic sources of contamination. Although elevated concentrations of all trace metals were recorded in the areas with high input of industrial, harbor and urban wastes, the obtained data provide no proof of the significant pollution along the eastern Adriatic coast. Analysis of temporal trends showed that metal concentrations had not changed with time during the monitoring period. With few exceptions, 98% of values were well below the permissible limits for fresh seafood.