Levels of PCBs and DDTs in mussels from the N.W. Mediterranean

The concentration of synthetic chlorinated hydrocarbons has been monitored in mussels collected on the north-west Mediterranean coast. DDT and PCB contamination is widespread in this region and the results suggest that the mussels are directly exposed to DDT. Seasonal changes in fat content of the mussels and the (unknown) rates of chlorinated hydrocarbon accumulation and excretion make the detailed interpretation of data difficult and limit the value of mussels as bio-indicators of pollution.     

The usefulness of transplantation studies in monitoring of metals in the marine environment: South African experience

Due to their close proximity to the point sources of pollution, estuaries and harbours are exposed to metals. Mussels are used worldwide to monitor marine pollution due to their ability to take up contaminants and the ease of transplantation. Mussels were collected from two reference sites and transplanted in Richards Bay Harbour (2006 and 2010) and in three harbours. Transplanted and resident mussels were removed after 6 weeks exposure and metal concentrations were analysed using ICP-MS techniques. Transplanted mussels had higher metal concentrations than the resident mussels. This was attributed to regulation of metals by the resident mussels. Metal regulation was greater in mussels that are continuously submerged as opposed to those that undergo tidal influences. For monitoring it is essential that the reference population for transplantation is considered carefully as upwelling events in the pristine reference location results in significant increases in metal bioaccumulation.     

富营养化浅水湖泊生态修复中背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)对水质改善的影响

滤水速率的快慢是决定滤食性河蚌对水质改善与否的关键,但受蚌龄大小、食物多少和季节变化的影响.以背角无齿蚌（Anodonta woodiana）为研究对象,设置幼龄蚌组、成年蚌组和无蚌对照组,在惠州西湖生态修复后的清水态和未修复的富营养化水体同时进行中型系统原位实验,测定了各处理组水层中氮、磷、总悬浮物（TSS）浓度和浮游藻类生物量（用叶绿素a（Chl.a）浓度表示）的季节变化,以研究蚌龄、食物和季节变化对背角无齿蚌水质改善的影响.结果表明,与对照组相比,背角无齿蚌提高了清水态水体总磷（TP）和铵态氮浓度,但对总氮（TN）、TSS和浮游藻类Chl.a浓度的影响不显著,表明其不能有效改善清水态水体水质;富营养化水体中,背角无齿蚌虽对水中TN浓度影响不显著,但显著降低了TP浓度、浮游藻类Chl.a浓度和TSS浓度;表明背角无齿蚌可改善富营养化水体水质;且富营养化水体中幼龄蚌的滤水速率显著高于成年蚌;幼龄蚌的滤水速率春季最大（0.132±0.018 L/（g·h））,夏季最小.因此,在富营养化水体修复前期,可通过放养本地滤食性河蚌,如背角无齿蚌,以改善水质,春季放养幼龄蚌更佳,为接下来的修复创造有利条件;而在生态修复后期的清水态水体中,单独的河蚌对水质改善效果不明显.本研究可为水生态系统保护和富营养化水体生态修复提供参考.     

Heavy metals,organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in green mussels,mullets and sediments of river mouths in Thailand

This investigation was undertaken to determine the levels of lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, and mercury and certain organochlorines including DDT and PCBs in green mussels, mullets, and bottom sediments of the mouths of the river Mae Klong, Ta Chin, Chao Phraya, and Ban Pakong. The four river mouths are contaminated by the five heavy metals to some extent. The contamination of lead in mussels, mullets and sediments was quite obvious, at values significantly higher than those previously reported. Contamination of the other four metals in mussels and mullets was still within acceptable limits, except for mercury in the Chao Phraya river mouth which was approaching the limit. Organochlorines, especially DDT and its metabolites, are detectable in some samples of mussels, mullet, and sediments. PCBs were detectable in some samples of mussels and mullets, but none were detected in the sediments. The levels of these organochlorines are considered to be comparable to baseline levels.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollution in native and caged mussels.

During 1999, a biological monitoring study was conducted at four sites along the Ligurian coast (Cornigliano, Voltri, Vado Ligure and Sanremo). At each site the concentration and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated in native and caged mussels. The mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), sampled in the Spring and the Autumn, showed different accumulation patterns according to the source of pollution they were exposed to. The PAH concentrations were higher in the native than in the caged mussels. The coastal sites were classified according to PAH concentrations found in mussel tissue samples: Native mussels: Vado Ligure < Voltri < San-remo < = Cornigliano, Caged mussels: Vado Ligure = Voltri = San-remo < Cornigliano. The different classification is explained by the different location of the organisms: native mussels were located near the air-water interface, while caged mussels were situated at -3 m from the water surface. The PAH concentrations in the native and caged mussels showed a similar seasonal variability, and can provide the same information about the sources of PAHs.     

Byssal detachment underestimates tolerance of mussels to toxic compounds

Mussels are sedentary organisms attached to solid substrata by means of byssus threads. Mussels detached from their substratum tend to reattach by producing new byssus threads. Therefore, in bioassays using mussels, if the test animals are in an unattached status, increased byssogenic activity would expose their soft body parts to the toxic compound used. We test the tolerance of two mussel species (Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Mytilus edulis) to an oxidizing biocide (chlorine) and show that detached mussels are 24-28% less tolerant than byssally attached ones. Detached mussels also showed higher oxygen consumption, filtration rate, foot activity, byssus thread production and byssogenesis index, parameters which are associated with valve opening. A review of literature showed that most of the published data on toxicity against heavy metals and biocides are generated using unattached mussels. The data, therefore, represent an underestimation of the toxicity of the tested compound. Correction data are presented for chlorine tolerance of Dreissena polymorpha, Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Mytilus edulis. The present study suggests the importance of maintaining mussels in their attached status, while undertaking toxicity bioassays.     

Baseline levels of benzo(a)pyrene in southern California mussels

Marine mussels accumulate the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene from contaminated environments. Baseline studies in California indicate that levels of the carcinogen in mussels are at or near zero, except in areas of human activity. This finding runs counter to previous suggestions that benzo(a)pyrene is widely distributed in marine organisms.     

Zinc in mussels from an iron pipe

Mussels were collected from a corroding iron sewage pipe on the north side of the Tyne estuary at Tynemouth. A control sample of mussels was collected from a rock only 1m away. The mussels from the iron pipe showed a significantly lower zinc concentration than the mussels on the rock and it appears likely that exposure to high levels of iron compounds experienced by the pipe mussels resulted in a reduction of their zinc level. It is recommended that mussels intended for use in monitoring programmes should not be collected from iron structures and that the results of monitoring surveys including industrial harbours and shipyards should be treated with caution.     

Bioaccumulation factors of chlorinated hydrocarbons between mussels and seawater

The bioaccumulation of PCB and DDT compounds by mussels, Mytilus spp., from ambient seawater was determined by measuring concentrations of these chlorinated hydrocarbons in both mussels and seawater at four sites on the Mediterranean coast of France and two sites in California. Bioaccumulation factors were found to vary over an order of magnitude. Ratios of the concentrations of PCB in mussels, consisting predominantly of pentachloro-and hexachlorobiphenyls, to concentrations in ambient seawater ranged between 69 000 and 690 000; the corresponding ratios of concentrations of p,p′-DDE or p,p′-DDT ranged from 40 000 to 690 000. Although mussels appear to be appropriate and convenient indicator organisms of local chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination levels, the factors contributing to this variance must be determined before mussels are widely used in global monitoring programmes.     

Effect of eutrophication on species composition and growth of freshwater mussels(Mollusca,Unionidae) in Lake Hallwil (Aargau,Switzerland)

Species composition, relative abundance and life history of unionid mussels are compared between 1982–86 and 1915–19 in Lake Hallwil and the outflowing brook. The recent samples of unionid mussels were collected by divers, whereas the older ones were from a shell collection. The motivation for the comparison was that the trophic degree of the lake has changed since the beginning of the century from mesotrophic to highly eutrophic. The effects of this increased trophic degree of the lake on the life cycle of unionid mussels is discussed. Predictions are made about species composition and life history in the context of the ongoing lake restoration by the authorities.     

基于淡水蚌类的生物学特征预测种群局部定居率和灭绝率--以鄱阳湖为例

淡水蚌类是全球最受威胁的动物群之一.加强淡水蚌类灭绝机制的研究,对促进野生淡水蚌类生物多样性的保护和管理具有重要的意义.淡水蚌类具有独特的生活史,发育过程中的钩介幼虫必须依赖于宿主鱼才能完成变态发育.淡水蚌局部种群之间的交流是通过宿主鱼的迁移和幼虫漂流来实现的.通过对鄱阳湖12个采样地点调查,计算了39种淡水蚌的局部定居率和灭绝率,利用一般线性模型,通过比较最低赤池信息准则和许瓦兹贝叶斯准则来评估淡水蚌类的8个生物学特征对预测种群局部定居率和灭绝率的可行性.结果表明:淡水蚌类的生物学特征与局部定居率和灭绝率存在相关性,可以用来预测种群局部定居和灭绝,其中种群结构和繁殖时期这两个生物学特征是预测局部定居率的最佳组合模型,分布密度、繁殖能力、保护现状和运动能力是预测局部灭绝率的最佳结合模型.就鄱阳湖淡水蚌类而言,局部灭绝率显著超过局部定居率,表明局部种群隔离程度正在加重,面临着严重的种群灭绝危机.     

Comparison of mussels and semi-permeable membrane devices as intertidal monitors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at oil spill sites

Side-by-side comparisons of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in resident blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus) and in semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were made at four sites in Prince William Sound, Alaska. SPMDs were deployed for approximately 30 days on the surface of the beach sediment at three tidal elevations on each shore and in 0.5 m deep open pits in the middle intertidal zone. Total PAH (TPAH) concentrations in mussels and in SPMDs were correlated, but the PAH compositions were different. The lower molecular weight PAH were relatively more abundant in the SPMDs than in the mussels at oiled and HA sites. TPAH concentrations in SPMDs deployed in pits and mussels collected adjacent to those pits at oiled sites were higher than in SPMDs and mussels from non-pitted SPMD locations approximately 3-15 m from the pits. Pitting released buried oil making its PAH bioavailable. SPMDs deployed in the supratidal zone (+4.0 m tidal elevation) were exposed to atmospheric contaminants for a large fraction of the deployment time and accumulated primarily pyrogenic (combustion-sourced) PAH from the atmosphere. The SPMD strips supplied by the manufacturer contained significant amounts (approximately 125 ng/strip) of primarily alkylated 2-3 ring PAH. These blank levels make SPMDs unsuitable for shoreline assessments when environmental PAH concentrations are low. Consequently, where available, mussels are recommended for use in assessments of the bioavailability of buried oil residues sequestered in intertidal sediments following an oil spill. Mussels are the preferred monitoring tool when the assessments involve food-chain effects. At locations where the absence of mussels necessitates the use of SPMDs or other passive sampling devices, their limitations need to be carefully considered in the interpretation of results.     

Cytological and Physiological Biomarker Responses from Green Mussels, Perna viridis (L.) Transplanted to Contaminated Sites in Hong Kong Coastal Waters

Biological monitoring of marine contaminants often involves the analysis of metals accumulated in mussel tissues. Critiques of this type of monitoring suggest that although relatively good indications of ambient metal concentrations are determined, actual biological harm is not elucidated. Biomarkers, techniques originally developed in medicine, have recently been employed in an attempt to ascertain the health of marine mussels. Biomarkers have been used with good effect in temperate marine pollution monitoring programmes. The use of biomarkers in the toxicological evaluation of tropical and subtropical waters is, however, generally lacking, which is somewhat surprising, as considerable industrialisation and environmental degradation is taking place in the Pacific-rim countries of Southeast Asia. In the present study, a suite of cytological and physiological biomarkers have been measured from mussels (Perna viridis: Mytilidae) transplanted within the coastal waters of Hong Kong. Mussels from contaminated sites, had labile lysosomal membranes, whereas animals from a cleaner reference site had more stable membranes. These cytological responses have been related to metal-induced stress and are simple, cost-effective markers of pollution. Cardiac activity from mussels transplanted to polluted sites was generally similar to that of individuals from the reference site, although a mild tachycardia was associated with one site. The cause of the tachycardia and the use of heart rate in mussels as a biomarker is discussed. Integrated physiological responses to stress, condition indices, revealed mussels from a clean reference site had higher indices than animals from contaminated sites. The relative sensitivities of the cytological and physiological biomarkers deployed in this study and their application to pollution monitoring is discussed.     

Biological and ecological mechanisms for overcoming sperm limitation in invasive dreissenid mussels

Many broadcast-spawning benthic invertebrates are subject to sperm limitation yet achieve high population densities, as for example dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreisssena bugensis) that were introduced into the Laurentian Great Lakes. The question remains whether biological or ecological/physical mechanisms reduce sperm limitation. Gamete dilution/longevity experiments were undertaken to determine whether dreissenid mussels are subject to sperm limitation, and computational fluid dynamic modeling was used to determine the potential influence of bottom roughness on sperm dilution in nature. Results indicated that dreissenid mussels may be sperm limited, but the extent to which sperm dilution affects them is lower than what was reported for other broadcast spawning invertebrates. Importantly, model mussel clusters influenced external fertilization by retaining sperm in downstream eddies but allowing downstream transport from one cluster to another. This, in addition to high sperm potency at low sperm concentrations, may help to explain the success of dreissenid mussels as invasive species.     

Characterizing the effect of heavy metal contamination on marine mussels using metabolomics

Marine mussels (Mytilus) are widely used as bioindicators to measure pollution in marine environments. In this study, (1)H NMR spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analyses were used to differentiate mussel groups from a heavy metal-polluted area (Onsan Bay) and a clean area (Dokdo area). Principal component analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structure-discriminant analysis revealed significant separation between extracts of mussels from Onsan Bay and from the Dokdo area. Organic osmolytes (betaine and taurine) and free amino acids (alanine, arginine, glutamine, phenylalanine, and threonine) were more highly accumulated in Onsan Bay mussels compared with Dokdo mussels. These results demonstrate that NMR-based metabolomics can be used as an efficient method for characterizing heavy metal contamination derived from polluted area compared to clean area and to identify metabolites related to environments that are contaminated with heavy metals.     

Uptake and depuration of PAHs and chlorinated pesticides by semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis)

Semi-batch seawater experiments were conducted to follow the uptake and release of selected PAHs (anthracene, fluorathene, pyrene and B[a]P) and organochlorine pesticides (-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, p,p′-DDT) in semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis). Mathematical models were applied to describe the uptake and elimination curves of the contaminants for SPMDs, and kinetic parameters, such as uptake rate constants, and equilibrium triolein/water partitioning coefficients were calculated. SPMD data showed a good fit to estimate rate constant and partition coefficient equations, but only those contaminants which partitioned mainly in the dissolved phase (-HCH and dieldrin) were well explained for mussels. Poor conformity of the other contaminants indicated mussels uptake by routes other than diffusion, such as ingestion of algae. An apparent equilibrium state was only noted for -HCH in mussels. Aldrin was not detected in mussels in the first few days of exposure, indicating potential metabolism of this compound. B[a]P was not detected in the triolein of SPMDs, which suggests that the membrane may act as a reservoir. Loss of spiked B[a]P from the triolein was evident in a depuration experiment, which may indicate transfer to the membrane. Rate constants for mussels were higher than those for SPMDs, but the reverse was true for partition coefficients. Overall, mussels and SPMDs had similar uptake rates for all compounds in this study, excluding p,p′-DDT and dieldrin. Contaminant elimination took place more rapidly in mussels, implying that SPMDs are better candidates for detecting episodic discharge of organic contaminants.     

基于"标准化"背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)对太湖五里湖重金属污染的主动监测

将人工繁育的"标准化"背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)移殖至太湖五里湖,并以仍养殖在未受污染的中国水产科学研究院淡水渔业研究中心南泉基地的同批蚌作为对照,进行为期9个月的主动监测研究.每3个月回收一次蚌样,应用电感耦合等离子质谱仪(ICP-MS)测定15种重金属(Al、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Mo、Ag、Cd、Ba、Tl和Pb)的含量.结果表明,南泉基地对照组和五里湖移殖组的蚌样对重金属均产生了明显的生物积累.培养3个月的五里湖移殖组蚌样中As的含量显著高于同期南泉基地对照组,而前者Mn、Fe、Zn和Ba含量显著低于后者;培养6个月的五里湖移殖组蚌样中Al和Pb的含量显著低于同期南泉基地对照组;培养9个月的五里湖移殖组蚌样中Pb含量显著低于同期南泉基地对照组.然而,南泉基地对照组和五里湖移殖组蚌样中重金属(Cr、Cu、As、Cd和Pb)含量均低于我国及国际上的相关标准.培养3、6和9个月的南泉基地对照组及五里湖移殖组蚌样的重金属污染指数分别为1.8、1.8,2.4、2.1和8.3、16.8,均值综合污染指数分别为0.0218、0.0289,0.0337、0.0218和0.0560、0.0732,属于正常背景水平,并且两水体蚌样的重金属污染指数和均值综合污染指数无显著差异,提示五里湖和南泉基地均未受到明显的重金属污染.     

Asia-Pacific mussel watch: monitoring contamination of persistent organochlorine compounds in coastal waters of Asian countries

Contamination of persistent organochlorines (OCs) such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), DDT and its metabolites (DDTs), HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) isomers (HCHs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), and HCB (hexachlorobenzene) were examined in mussels collected from coastal waters of Asian countries such as Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Far East Russia, Singapore, and Vietnam in 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2001 to elucidate the contamination status, distribution and possible pollution sources and to assess the risks on aquatic organisms and human. OCs were detected in all mussels collected from all the sampling sites investigated. Considerable residue levels of p,p(')-DDT and alpha-HCH were found in mussels and the concentrations of DDTs and HCHs found in mussels from Asian developing countries were higher than those in developed nations suggesting present usage of DDTs and HCHs along the coastal waters of Asian developing countries. On the other hand, lower concentrations of PCBs detected in mussels from Asian developing countries than those in developed countries indicate that PCBs contamination in mussels is strongly related to industrial and activities. To our knowledge, this is a first comprehensive report on monitoring OCs pollution in the Asia-Pacific region.     

Assessment of tributyltin contamination in a shipyard area using a mussel transplantation approach

Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were transplanted to seven stations around a large shipyard for 126 days to evaluate tributyltin (TBT) contamination. Although the application of TBT-based paints to ships is totally banned in Korea, butyltin compounds were found to accumulate in mussels following transplantation. Concentrations of TBT and total butyltins in transplanted mussels near the shipyard were in the range of 40-350 ng Sn/g and 74-530 ng Sn/g on a dry weight basis, respectively. Obviously, low TBT concentrations (6.0-53 ng Sn/gdw) were determined in mussels at four stations outside the shipyard. A negative gradient of TBT concentrations and TBT portion to total butyltin concentrations were found in both the surface water and transplanted mussels according to distance from the shipyard. In addition, TBT concentrations in surface water and transplanted mussels showed significant correlation (r(2) = 0.71; p < 0.001). These results indicate that the shipyard still releases fresh TBT into surrounding waters even after TBT regulation in Korea, and mussel transplantation is useful in evaluating TBT contamination in shipyard area.