The use of transplanted cultured mussels ( Mytilus edulis) to monitor pollutants along the Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria, Australia—I. Extractable organohalogens (EOX)

Abstract

Commercially cultured mussels ( Mytilus edulis) were transplanted from Port Philip Bay to multiple sites along the Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria, on six occasions to assess water column concentrations of extractable organohalogens (EOX). Mussels were deployed both before and after the commencement of the discharge of a secondary-treated mix of industrial, domestic and pulp and paper mill effluent in the vicinity of two of the deployment sites. Transplanted mussels maintained both body condition and flesh lipid concentrations during the periods of deployment. Mussel tissue EOX concentrations varied between deployment sites and over deployment times. Inter-site differences in EOX tissue concentrations were not consistent over time. Mussel tissue EOX concentrations were not correlated with physical characteristics of the shellfish. Background tissue EOX concentrations ranged from 16 to 69 μg Cl g −1 dry tissue wt. Mussels deployed in the vicinity of the effluent discharge plume contained marginally-elevated tissue concentrations of EOX. However, these concentrations were not significantly higher than concentrations present in tissue from mussels deployed at control sites.