Contribution to the ecotoxicological study of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in the mussel Mytilus edulis

Abstract

The understanding of natural fluctuations of metal concentrations in mussels used as bio-indicators is indispensable for a good assessment of the disturbances due to pollution. We have studied thoroughly the factors which condition bioaccumulation by using controlled populations of mussels, Mytilus edulis L., sampled monthly over more than two years (March 1982–May 1984) in the Bay of Bourgneuf, France. Seasonal changes in metal levels have been recognized, maximum values being observed in winter and early spring and minimum in later spring and summer. Depending on metal and size group, the ratios between these maximum and minimum values varied between 1.56 and 3.43. The fluctuations in soft-tissue weight appear to be the main explanatory factor of seasonal variations in metal concentrations in mussels. Fluctuations in metal levels related to size of mussels were observed. Except for cadmium in mussels with a mean dry weight of soft tissues >0.2 g, a slight decrease in metal concentrations was observed for growing individuals: the regression coefficient b was -0.10, -0.11, -0.13 and -0.27 for Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb, respectively. The metals examined were rather uniformly distributed among the different groups of organs (visceral mass, gills and palps, “remainder”) and, consequently, several analyses of metals in different organs do not provide much more information than one analysis on the whole soft tissues. It is concluded that fluctuations related to size or season are reflected by only moderate differences in the maximum and minimum concentrations of metals in the mussels, but that they are nevertheless sufficient to conceal low chronic or short-term pollution, except at those sites where the “normal” environmental conditions are well-documented.