The Accumulation of Al, As, Li, Mg, Mn, S, Si, Ti, and V in the Mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Moroccan Mediterranean Coastal Areas: Trends Pertaining to Seasons and Levels

Abstract

The accumulation levels of elements (Al, As, Li, Mg, Mn, S, Si, Ti, and V) in the soft tissue of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), collected monthly in 2016, from Junuary to December, from sampling sites of the mussel farming facilities installed in the coastal areas of Al Hoceima, were investigated. The studied element levels were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma -Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES 720-ES). Descending order of the average element concentrations in soft tissue of M. galloprovincialis was S > Mg > Si> Al > Mn > Ti > As >V > Li. Element contents (Al, As, Mg, S and V) in tissue of mussels were significantly different (P < 0.05) between seasons, being highest in winter and lowest in summer. Strong correlations were observed between studied elements and chlorophyll a, indicating the importance of food for metal bioaccumulation in mussels in this period of the season. The observed strong correlations for metal levels in tissues of mussels can be explained by their common sources, which are associated with anthropogenic effects. The detected seasonal variations of investigated element concentrations in soft tissues of M. galloprovincialis could be attributed to physicochemical parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients and food availability, as well as the biological status of the mussel. This study may provide basic information for detecting the current pollution status of investigated elements in Al Hoceima coasts from the Moroccan Mediterranean Sea using M. galloprovincialis as biological indicators.

Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of trace elements inMytilus galloprovincialisas sea food in the Al Hoceima coasts (Morocco)

“…The minimum values of Zn were observed in June (142.13 ± 0.83 mg/kg). In our study, the seasonal variations in the metallic pollutants observed in the mussels, with higher levels obtained in the winter season, and lower concentrations indicated in summer period have long been considered [9][10][11]. In the Al Hoceima coasts, the bioaccumulation of metallic pollutants in marine biota have been influenced by the abiotic variables and the biological states [9].…”

“…Lee et al [29] indicated that the phytoplankton can improve the trace elements' bioavailability for marine invertebrates. In relation to the reproductive cycle, Azizi et al [10] observed that the bioaccumulation of pollutants in Mytilus galloprovincialis was higher in winter, authors indicated that the fluctuation in heavy metal contents in bivalves depended on the variation in the animals' weight during the period of reproduction.…”

“…Programs such as the 'Mussel watch', which was first implemented in 1975 [7] illustrate the usefulness of this approach to monitor the status and the trends of chemical contamination of United States coastal waters. Recent monitoring of heavy metals based on mussels in Mediterranean coastal waters has also proven effective [8][9][10]. The marine mussels are known to concentrate these elements, providing an integrated indication at the time of environmental contamination [3].…”

Biomonitoring study of trace metals (Al, As, Li) in mussels from Al Hoceima coastline of Moroccan Mediterranean Sea

“…Urbanization, agriculture and industrial developments are taking place at an accelerated rate in the coastal areas around the world [2]. These developments regenerate different sources of pollutants, which have been identified as one of the most important sources of contamination loading on the Mediterranean coast [3]. Heavy metals are a major anthropogenic contaminant in marine environment [4], because they cannot be degraded and persist in the environment; consequently, they accumulate in aquatic organisms [5].…”

Simultaneous adsorption behaviour of heavy metals from Oil Mill Wastewater onto natural clay

“…Heavy metals are defined as metallic elements that have a relatively high density compared to water and is toxic or poisonous even at low concentration [6,3]. Generally, heavy metals are toxic [11,12]. So in our study, we used bentonites clay as an adsorbent and the margin as adsorbate.…”