Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The common mussel Mytilus edulis as an indicator of trace metals in Scandinavian waters. I. Zinc and cadmium

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Concentrations of zinc and cadmium in whole soft parts of mussels, Mytilus edulis (L.), collected from 54 locations in Scandinavian waters were determined. Local variations in concentrations of the two metals found in samples taken close to industrial sources of zinc and cadmium confirmed the ability of the mussel to act as an accurate indicator of pollution by these metals over the entire range of salinities in which this species can exist. In addition, offshore samples remote from industrial discharges revealed higher concentrations of zinc and cadmium in mussels from lowsalinity areas (Gulf of Finland, Southern Bothnian Sea, Baltic proper) than in those from high-salinity areas (Kattegat, Eastern Skagerrak). Major decreases in metal concentrations present in the mussel were apparent in the regions of the Sound and the Great Belt, which are areas of rapid salinity change due to mixing of Baltic water with water from Kattegat. Comparison of these results with those reported for zinc and cadmium in water throughout the study area suggested the existence of a higher biological availability of these metals in regions of low salinity; possible reasons for this are discussed. Data from the present survey are also compared to those reported for mussels taken elsewhere. This comparison reveals the Baltic area to be considerably polluted by trace metals; in contrast, the waters of Kattegat and skagerrak are considered to be relatively unpolluted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Abdullah, M. I. and L. G. Royle: A study of the dissolved and particulate trace elements in the Bristol Channel. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 54, 581–597 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyden, C.R.: Distribution of some trace metals in Poole Harbour, Dorset. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 6 (12), 180–187 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, R.R. and M.G. Rumsby: The biogeochemistry of trace element uptake by some New Zealand bivalves. Limnol. Oceanogr. 10, 521–528 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunnigham, P.A. and M.R. Tripp: Factors affecting the accumulation and removal of mercury from tissues of the American osyster Crassostrea virginica. Mar. Biol. 31, 311–319 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edgren, M.: Recipientundersökningar rörande lokalisering av kraftverk till Nynäshamn. Report in Swedish from Statens Naturvårdsverk Undersökningslaboratoriet, Radioekologiska sektionen, 9 November 1973. (Copies available from the secretary, Statens Naturvårdsverk, Undersökningslaboratoriet, 170 11 Drottningholm Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Metaller och närsalter i sediment och vattenburen partikulär substans. Report in Swedish from Statens Naturvårdsverk Undersökningslaboratoriet, 25 November 1976. (Copies available from the Secretary, Statens Naturvärdverk, Undersökningslaboratoriet, 170 11 Drottningholm, Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Eustace, I.J.: Zinc, cadmium, copper and manganese in species of finfish and shellfish caught in the Derwent Estuary, Tasmania. Aust. J. mar. Freshwat. Res. 25, 209–220 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulkerson, W., H.E. Goeller, J.S. Gailar and E.D. Copenhaver (Eds.): Cadmium, the dissipated element. Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Ref. ORNL NSF-EP-21) 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, E.D.: The mussel watch — a first step in global marine monitoring. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 6 (6), p. 111 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustavsson, I.: The concentration of heavy metals in the receiving waters off the nuclear power plants of Sweden. The National Swedish Environment Protection Board, Research Laboratory for Coastal Research (Ref. SNV PM 785E) 1976. (Copies available from the Secretary, Statens Naturvårdverk, Undersökningslaboratoriet, 170 11 Drottningholm, Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Hutchins, L.W.: The bases for temperature zonation in geographical distribution. Ecol. Monogr. 17, 325–335 (1947)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, M.P.: Result of fluvial zinc pollution on the zinc content of littoral and sublittoral organisms in Cardigan Bay, Wales. Envir. Pollut. 4, 27–35 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinne, O.: Salinity: animals — invertebrates. In: Marine ecology, Vol. 1. Part 2. pp 821–995. Ed. by O. Kinne. London: Wiley-Interscience 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Leatherland, T.M. and J.D. Burton: The occurrence of some trace metals in coastal organisms with particular reference to the Solent region. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 54, 457–468 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nullin, J.B. and J.P. Riley: The occurrence of cadmium in sea water and in marine organisms and sediments. J. mar. Res. 15, 103–122 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, V.B., R.L. Iverson and R.C. Harriss: The effect of salinity and dissolved organic matter on surface charge characteristics of some euryhaline phytoplankton. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 17, 59–68 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nickless, G., R. Stenner and N. Terrille: Distribution of cadmium, lead and zinc in the Bristol Channel. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 3 (12), 188–190 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, S.A. and A. Nathan: Heavy metal levels in New Zealand molluscs. N.Z. Jl mar. Freshwat. Res. 9, 467–481 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Hara, J.: Cadmium uptake by fiddler crabs exposed to temperature and salinity stress. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 30, 846–848 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dentreath, R.J.: The accumulation from water of Zn65, Mn54, Co58 and Fe59 by the mussel, Mytilus edulis. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 53, 127–143 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D.J.H.: The common mussel Mytilus edulis as an indicator of pollution by zinc, cadmium, lead and copper. I. Effects of environmental variables on uptake of metals. Mar. Biol. 38, 59–69 (1976a)

    Google Scholar 

  • — The common mussel Mytilus edulis as an indicator of pollution by zinc, cadmium, lead and copper. II. Relationship of metals in the mussel to those discharged by industry. mar. Biol. 38, 71–80 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • — Effects of salinity on the net uptake of zinc by the common mussel Mytilus edulis. Mar. Biol. 41, 79–88 (1977a)

    Google Scholar 

  • — The use of biological indicator organisms to monitor trace metal pollution in marine and estuarine environments — a review. Envir. Pollut. 13, 281–317 (1977b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston, A., D.F. Jefferies, J.W.R. Dutton, B.R. Harvey and A.K. Steele: British Isles coastal waters: the concentrations of selected heavy metals in sea water, suspended matter and biological indicators: a pilot survey. Envir. Pollut. 3, 69–82 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston, E.M.: The importance of ingestion in chromium-51 accumulation by Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 6, 47–54 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder, H.A., A.P. Nason, I.H. Tipton and J.J. Balassa: Essential trace elements in man: zinc. Relation to environmental cadmium. J. chron. Dis. 20, 179–198 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz-Baldes, M.: Die Miesmuschel Mytilus edulis als Indikator für die Bleikonzentration im Weserästuar und in der Deutschen Bucht. Mar. Biol. 21, 98–102 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Lead uptake from seawater and food, and lead loss in the common mussel Mytilus edulis. Mar. Biol. 25, 177–193 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Segar, D.A., J.D. Collins and J.P. Riley: The distributions of the major and some minor elements in marine animals. II. Molluscs. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 51, 131–136 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Segerstråle, S.G.: The Tvärminne excursion. A confrontation with the brackish Baltic. Limnologorum Conventus 13, 46–72 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Baltic Sea. Mem. geol. Soc. Am. 67, 751–800 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen Gupta, R.: On some trace metals in the Baltic. Ambio 1, 226–230 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenner, R.D. and G. Nickless: Distribution of some heavy metals in organisms in Hardangerfjord and Skjerstadfjord, Norway. Wat. Air Soil Pollut. 3, 279–291 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • ——: Heavy metals in organisms of the Atlantic coast of South-West Spain and Portugal. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 6 (6), 89–92 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Styron, C.E., T.M. Hagan, D.R. Campbell, J. Harvin, N.K. Whittenburg, G.A. Baughman, M.E. Bransford, W.H. Saunders, D.C. Williams, C. Woodle, N.K. Dixon and C.R. McNeill: Effects of temperature and salinity on growth and uptake of Zn65 and Cs137 for six marine algae. J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K. 56, 13–20 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Svansson, A.: The water exchange of the Baltic. First Swedish Symposium on the pollution of the Baltic: Stockholm, September 8–10 1971. Ambio spec. Rep. 1, 15–19 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Talbot, V., R.J. Magee and M. Hussain: Cadmium in Port Phillip Bay mussels. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 7 (5), 84–86 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Institute, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden

    D. J. H. Phillips

Authors
  1. D. J. H. Phillips
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by T.M. Fenchel, Aarhus

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Phillips, D.J.H. The common mussel Mytilus edulis as an indicator of trace metals in Scandinavian waters. I. Zinc and cadmium. Mar. Biol. 43, 283–291 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396922

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396922

Keywords

Search

Navigation