Seasonal and Geographical Distribution of PAHs in Mussels, Mytilus Edulis, Collected from an Urban Harbour

Abstract

Mytilus edulis were collected intertidally from 16–18 sites located around the perimeter of Halifax Harbour, of an island located at the entrance to the harbour and from the Northwest Arm. The concentrations of 31 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), lipid and moisture content were determined in pools of this filter feeder sampled over three seasons spanning two years, along with calculating individual condition indices. Contaminants were nearly undetectable in many of the summer mussels and highest in some of the spring samples. At several sites, the sum of PAHs expressed on a dry or lipid weight basis, was either equal or higher in April compared to November. Fluoranthene was the most predominant PAH followed by pyrene and phenanthrene. At most sites, parental PAHs, associated with combustion sources of contamination, were more abundant than alkylated derivatives. A larger petroleum input was noticeable in mussel extracts from sites in close proximity to potential sources.

Key Words:

• mussels
• parental
• alkylated
• PAHs
• seasons
• harbour