The levels of heavy metals in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus Galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819); Example of Giresun coasts of the Black Sea, Turkey

Abstract

Heavy metal accumulation levels in the soft tissue of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) individuals, collected from eight stations along the 122 km long Giresun coast, were investigated. Heavy metal levels (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Se) were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer (ICP MS). Results were given as µg/g in wet weight mean ± SE; Cr; 0.56 ± 0.03, Mn; 6.23 ± 0.38, Ni; 12.70 ± 1.01, Zn; 69.06 ± 4.20, Co; 1.97 ± 0.07, Cu; 2.65 ± 0.18, Fe; 161.08 ± 15.89, Pb; 3.16 ± 0.08, As; 3.16 ± 0.11, and Se; 0.62 ± 0.05. Metal concentrations in descending order were as follow; Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn> As > Pb > Cu > Co > Se> Cr, respectively. Length and weight distribution of mussel samples were significantly different between some stations (p<0.05). The mean Pb and Zn concentrations were higher than the acceptable limit proposed by International Turkish standards.