Skip to main content
Log in

Trace metals in mussels (Mytilus edulis) from southwest Iceland

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were determined inMytilus edulis from 48 locations in SW Iceland, as well as in moored mussles. The purpose was to establish baseline conditions and to evaluate anthropogenic influences. As reference stations, 34 locations away from population centres, were selected. Data on the metal content of soft tissues were examined in relation to both tissue weight and shell length. The data reveal Pb and Hg contamination in mussels from the vicinity of Reykjavík. Leaded petrol, paints and diffuse urban uses are considered as sources of these anomalies. A comparison is made with published mussel watch results.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Anderson, A. T. and B. B. Neelakantan: Mercury in some organisms from the Oslofjord. Norw. J. Zool.22, 231–235 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Anon.: Report of the ICES advisory committee on marine pollution, 1979. Co-op Res. Rep. int. Counc. Explor. Sea (Copenhagen)84, 22–24 (1979)

  • Bjerregaard, P., S. Topçuo glu, N. S. Fisher and S. W. Fowler: Biokinetics of americum and plutonium in the musselMytilus edulis. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.21, 99–111 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourget, E. and D. Cossa: Mercury content of mussels from the St. Lawrence Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Mar. Pollut. Bull.7, 237–239 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyden, C. R.: Trace element content and body size in molluscs. Nature Lond.251, 311–314 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyden, C. R.: Effect of size upon metal content of shellfish. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K.57, 675–714 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bøhle, B.: Blaaskjell og blaaskjelldyrkning. Fisken og Havet (B),3, 1–19 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossa D. and E. Bourget: Trace elements inMytilus edulis L. from the estuary and gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada: lead and cadmium concentrations. Environ. Pollut. Ser. A.23, 1–8 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossa, D., E. Bourget and J. Pieuze: Sexual maturation as a source of variation in the relationship between cadmium concentration and body weight ofMytilus edulis L. Mar. Pollut. Bull.10, 174–176 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cossa, D., E. Bourget, D. Pouliot, J. Piuze and J. P. Chanut: Geographical and seasonal variations in the relationship between trace metal content and body weight inMytilus edulis. Mar. Biol.58, 7–14 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, I. M. and J. M. Pirie: The musselMytilus edulis as a bioassay organism for mercury in seawater. Mar. Pollut. Bull.9, 128–132 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, I. M. and J. M. Pirie: Evaluation of a “mussel watch” project for heavy metals in Scottish coastal waters. Mar. Biol.57, 87–93 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • De Wolf, P.: Mercury content of mussels from west European coasts. Mar. Pollut. Bull.6, 61–63 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eganhouse, P. E. and D. R. Young:In situ uptake of mercury by the intertidal mussel,Mytilus Californianus. Mar. Pollut. Bull.9, 214–217 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, H.: Shell weight as an independent variable in relation to cadmium content of molluscs. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.12, 59–75 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gault, N. F. S., E. L. C. Tolland and J. G. Parker: Spatial and temporal trends in heavy metal concentrations in mussels from northern Ireland coastal waters. Mar. Biol.77, 307–316 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldberg, E. D., M. Koide, V. Hodge, A. R. Flegal and J. Martin: U.S. mussel watch: 1977–1978 results on trace metals and radionuclides. Estuar. cstl Shelf Sci.16, 69–93 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holden, A. V. and G. Topping: Report on further intercalibration analyses in ICES monitoring and baseline studies. Co-op Res. Rep. int. Counc. Explor. Sea (Copenhagen)103, 1–75 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huntzicker, J. J., S. K. Friedlander and C. I. Davidson: Material balance for automobile-emitted lead in Los Angeles basin. Environ. Sci. Technol.9, 448–457 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackim, E., G. Morrison and R. Steele: Effects of environmental factors on radiocadmium uptake by four species of marine bivalves. Mar. Biol.40, 303–308 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koide, M., D. S. Lee and E. D. Goldberg: Metal and transuranic records in mussel shells, byssal threads and tissues. Estuar. cstl Shelf Sci.15, 679–695 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristmannsson, S.: Hitastig, selta og vatns' og seltúbuskapur í Hvalfirdi 1947–1948. Hafranns. fjölr.9, 1–10 (1983). (In Icelandic, mimeo)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meeus-Verdinne, K., R. Van Cauter and R. De Borger: Trace metal content in Belgian coastal mussels. Mar. Pollut. Bull.14, 198–200 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, A. J.: Trace metals and organochlorine pesticide and PCB residues in mussels from England and Wales, 1978. Chem. Ecol.1, 33–45 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, A. J. and R. J. Law: Results of a mussel watch programme in England and Wales 1977 and 1978. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea Comm. Meet. (Mar. environ. Qual. Comm.)1980/E:15, 1–7 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • NAS: The international mussel watch. xvi+248 pp. Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences 1980

    Google Scholar 

  • Olafsson, J.: Determination of nanogram quantities of mercury in sea water. Anal. Chim. Acta68, 207–211 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. J. H.: The common musselMytilus edulis as an indicator of trace metals in Scandinavian waters. I. Zinc and cadmium. Mar. Biol.43, 283–291 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. J. H.: The common musselMytilus edulis as an indicator of trace metals in Scandinavian waters. II. Lead, iron and manganese. Mar. Biol.46, 147–156 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaule, B. K. and C. C. Patterson: Perturbances of the natural lead depth profile in the Sargasso Sea by industrial lead.In: Trace metals in sea water, pp 487–503. Ed. by C. S. Wong, E. Boyle, K. W. Bruland, J. D. Burton and E. D. Goldberg. New York: Plenum Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Stefánsson, U. and G. Gudmundsson: The freshwater regime of Faxaflói, southwest Iceland, and its relationship to meteorological variables. Estuar. cstl mar. Sci.6, 535–551 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Topping, G.: Report on the 6th ICES trace metal intercomparison exercise for cadmium and lead in biological tissue. Co-op Res. Rep. int. Counc. Explor. Sea (Copenhagen)111, 1–27 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Topping, G.: The analysis of trace metals in biological reference materials: a discussion of the results of the intercomparison studies conducted by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.In: Trace metals in sea water, pp 155–173. Ed. by C. S. Wong, E. Boyle, K. W. Bruland, J. D. Burton and E. D. Goldberg. New York: Plenum Press 1983

    Google Scholar 

  • Topping, G. and A. V. Holden: Report on intercalibration analyses in ICES North Sea and North Atlantic baseline studies. Co-op Res. Rep. int. Counc. Explor. Sea (Copenhagen)80, 1–52 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagemann R. and D. C. G. Muir: Assessment of heavy metals and organochlorine concentrations in marine mammals of northern waters. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea Comm. Meet. (Mar. mam. Comm.)1981/N:9, 1–22 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, W. D.: Economic considerations in controlling mercury pollution.In: The Biogeochemistry of Mercury in the Environment, pp 41–77. Ed. by J. O. Nriagu. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1979

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, D. R., T. C. Heesen and D. J. McDermott: An offshore biomonitoring system for chlorinated hydrocarbons. Mar. Pollut. Bull.7, 156–159 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ólafsson, J. Trace metals in mussels (Mytilus edulis) from southwest Iceland. Mar. Biol. 90, 223–229 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00569131

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00569131

Keywords

Navigation