“…In a number of studies [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], the effect of the sampling site on trace element accumulation in mussels was investigated in the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal areas. The trace element levels in soft tissues of M. galloprovincialis from different areas of the Black Sea also demonstrated significant spatial variability [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], especially for the animals of older age groups [ 43 , 44 ]. Typically, the authors compare pristine and polluted areas in terms of trace element abundance in soft tissues.…”