Heavy metals in mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the gulf of la spezia and from the promontory of Portofino, Italy

Abstract

In different samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined by AAS. The mussels were taken from 11 sites in the Port of La Spezia. Typical concentration ranges (μ/g dry weight) were as follows: Cd, 2.0–6.8; Co, 0.8–3.2; Cr, 5.8–19.5; Cu, 6.9–33.7; Hg, 0.15–0.38; Mn, 11.8–37.8; Ni, 1.3–10.9; Pb, 13.9–44.6 and Zn, 203–379. Other samples were collected at 4 sites on the Promontory of Portofino and the following values were obtained: Cd, 0.8–1.1; Co, 2.6–2.9; Cu, 3.3–4.2; Hg, 0.09–0.15; Mn, 6.3–9.1; Ni, 1.2–2.4; Zn, 120–140.