Trace Metal Residues in Marine Mussels: A Global Survey

Abstract

Pressures from anthropogenic activities are causing degradation of estuarine and coastal ecosystems around the world. Trace metals are key pollutants that are released and can partition in a range of environmental compartments, to be ultimately accumulated in exposed biota. The level of pressure varies with locations and the range and intensity of anthropogenic activities. The present study measured residues of trace metals in Mytilus mussel species collected from a range of locations around the world in areas experiencing a gradient of anthropogenic pressures that we classified as low, moderate, or high impact. The data showed no grouping/impact level when sampling sites in all countries were incorporated in the analysis, but there was significant clustering/impact level for most countries. Overall, high‐impact areas were characterized by elevated concentrations of zinc, lead, nickel, and arsenic, whereas copper and silver were detected at higher concentrations in medium‐impact areas. Finally, whereas most metals were found at lower concentrations in areas classified as low impact, cadmium was typically elevated in these areas. The present study provides a unique snapshot of worldwide levels of coastal metal contamination through the use of Mytilus species, a well‐established marine biomonitoring tool. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3434–3440. © 2021 SETAC

The Status of Marine Mussel Pollution Research in South Africa (2012–2022)

“…When Goldberg (1975) realised the complexity of monitoring marine anthropogenic pollutant inputs and impacts and the cost this would place on marine scientists, he instead suggested using Mytilus edulis mussels (and other similar native or invasive species) as an indicator species for ocean pollution monitoring programs. Since the suggestion of "The Mussel Watch", mussels have been used as marine pollution monitoring tools for trace elements (TEs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and microplastics (MPs) on coastlines worldwide, allowing for global comparisons of contamination levels [22][23][24][25]. While South African mussel contamination levels are included in some international research regarding metal pollution [22], the lack of MP quantification research within local biota means that neither Africa nor South Africa was included in a recent global MP review [23], indicating that South Africa may not be keeping up with international trends in this regard.…”

“…Since the suggestion of "The Mussel Watch", mussels have been used as marine pollution monitoring tools for trace elements (TEs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and microplastics (MPs) on coastlines worldwide, allowing for global comparisons of contamination levels [22][23][24][25]. While South African mussel contamination levels are included in some international research regarding metal pollution [22], the lack of MP quantification research within local biota means that neither Africa nor South Africa was included in a recent global MP review [23], indicating that South Africa may not be keeping up with international trends in this regard.…”