Assessment of metal concentrations in indigenous and caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) on entire Turkish coastline

Abstract

This survey was conducted to determine metal concentrations in the biomonitor organism Mytilus galloprovincialis collected from all coasts of Turkey. Naturally-occurring mussels were gathered along the coast of the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus and Aegean Sea, while a 6-month transplantation session was implemented on the Levantine Sea coast where M. galloprovincialis does not adapt naturally. Mussels collected from the Izmir area were employed for transplantation to five locations along the Levantine Sea coast of Turkey. Concentrations of Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, and Zn were measured using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry). Results showed that concentrations of some essential elements (Co, Fe, K, Mn, Zn) generally fell within the range of acceptable global values. However, at some sampling sites the metal concentrations were found at higher levels compared to the world average and recommended limits. For instance, very high Ag and Cu concentrations were observed in mussel caged at Yumurtalik. Elevated As, Ni, Pb, and V concentrations were observed at the Tirebolu, Eskihisar, and Tekirdag locations, respectively. Taking into account all measured metals, it can be inferred that Yumurtalik is the most metal-contaminated locality. The results highlighted metal-specific pollution at coastal areas in each sea cover Turkey. In spite of the high metal levels estimated daily intakes (EDI) of the measured elements were well below through very low mussel consumption by Turkish public. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.