Trace metal concentrations in Mediterranean blue mussel and surface sediments and evaluation of the mussels quality and possible risks of high human consumption

Abstract

The concentrations of trace metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cu, Co and Cr) were determined for the first time in Mediterranean blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and surface sediments. The mussel and sediment samples were collected from five sites on the Montenegrin coastal area (southeastern Adriatic Sea) in the fall of 2005 and 2006. The collected samples were digested with a microwave digestion system. The maximum Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cu, Co and Cr mean concentrations in the mussel samples were 603.0, 345.0, 85.0, 18.9, 17.2, 9.1 and 4.2mg/kg of sample dry weight, respectively. The maximum Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu and Co concentrations in the sediment samples were 40867, 943.0, 382.0, 336.0, 67.2, 24.8 and 16.9mg/kg of sample dry weight, respectively. A correlation between the metal levels found in the mussel soft tissues with those found in sediments, for both 2005 and 2006, could be established, except for the levels of Zn observed.