Measurement of environmental trace-metal levels in Mediterranean coastal areas with transplanted mussels and DGT techniques

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) devices were deployed together for three one-month periods in coastal waters of Sardinia (Italy), in order to assess the levels of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in areas differently affected by anthropogenic activities. DGT devices...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2008, Vol.57 (6), p.832-837
Main Authors: Schintu, M., Durante, L., Maccioni, A., Meloni, P., Degetto, S., Contu, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Biomonitoring
DGT
Diffusion
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Linear Models
Marine
Marine and brackish environment
Mediterranean Sea
Metals - analysis
Mollusca
Mytilus - chemistry
Mytilus galloprovincialis
Sardinia
Seawater - chemistry
Trace metals
Transplanted mussels
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) devices were deployed together for three one-month periods in coastal waters of Sardinia (Italy), in order to assess the levels of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb in areas differently affected by anthropogenic activities. DGT devices were more sensitive than mussels in detecting differences in metal concentrations between sites, while interpretation of the biomonitoring data revealed difficulties related to the biotic and abiotic factors that can influence the measurements. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between Cd and Pb concentrations measured in the mussel tissues and bioavailable metal levels in seawater. Moreover transplanted mussels did not accumulate Cu and Ni following pre-exposure, although DGT showed significant concentrations of bioavailable forms of these metals in seawater. The results provided an estimate of the water quality with respect to dissolved metals and pointed out the usefulness of a combination of biomonitoring and DGT techniques for a better understanding of trace metal availability in coastal waters.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.02.038