An Assessment of the Current Status of Bioavailable Metal Contamination Across South Australia Using Translocated Mussels Mytilus Galloprovincalis

Abstract

This study presents results from the first regional assessment of metal levels in translocated blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) in the nearshore coastal environment across South Australia. A total of 422 replicate samples of translocated mussels were deployed throughout 11 regions across the South Australian near shore marine environment. Mussels were recovered after approximately 70 days and analysed for total metal load in the flesh of the mussel. Results showed vast differences in metal concentrations between different regions and also compared to the baseline metal concentration. Many of these differences can be attributed to the level of industrial activity in the regions which may have implications for environmental regulation in these regions.

Key Words:

• Mytilus galloprovincialis
• lead
• cadmium
• mercury
• biomonitor
• industrialisation