Heavy Metals and PAH Assessment Based on Mussel Caging in the North Coast of Tunisia (Mediterranean Sea)

Authors

Institut National des Sciences et Technologie de la Mer, Laboratoire Milieu Marin, Port depêche, 2015 La Goulette, Tunisie

Abstract

In the framework of the Mytilos project (Interreg IIIB Medocc), international research cruises
were carried out in 2006 in order to evaluate the level of Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) along the coast of the western basin of the Mediterranean Sea. Caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were placed in situ at six sites in the North coast of Tunisia. Results showed total PAH levels were in the range 45.6-241.6 ng/g dry weight (dw). The ranges of trace metals concentrations expressed in μg/gdw are: Hg (0.1- 0.2), Pb (0.4-0.7), Cd (0.9-2.9), Cu (2.9-3.9), Fe (117-248) and Zn (250-426). Higher concentrations were observed at Rades, La Galite and Tabarka which can be attributed to the industrial activities implanted in the
coast of Algeria and in the city of Rades. Concentrations of PAH, Cd, Pb, Fe and Zn are generally different from initial concentrations (before caging), depending on the adaptability of transplanted mussels to be used as bio-indicator of contaminants. Yet bio-monitoring using mussels give information on compound bioavailability which depends on their ability to accumulate contaminants in its tissue.

Keywords

International Journal of Environmental Research
Volume 6, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
January 2012
Pages 109-118

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