Bioaccumulation of metals by bivalves from the Limski Kanal (North Adriatic Sea) III. Copper distribution between Mytilus Galloprovincialis (LMK.) and ambient water

Abstract

The distribution of copper between different body parts of the mussels is correlated with the concentrations of the different physico-chemical forms of copper in the ambient seawater. Free and labile complexes of dissolved Cu were electrochemically determined in a sample at a natural pH of ∼8, “total” dissolved Cu was determined in acidified samples (pH 2), and Cu after acid decomposition of the suspended particulate matter was collected on 0.45 μm Millipore filters. The copper content correlates with the weight of the organs and with enhanced gametogenetic activity in the mussels. The copper concentrations in the total soft part and in the various organs are highly correlated with the dissolved “ionic” copper content of the ambient water. The particulate matter in the water column influences copper accumulation and its distribution within organs of the mussel. This conclusion arises because the concentration of copper in the mussels is highly correlated with the quantity of particulate material. The copper concentration varies very significantly with condition factors of the foot. Therefore, as the foot can be easily dissected, we propose this organ as a “sentinel” part of the mussel's body for “mussel watch”, in the global monitoring program for copper surveillance.