Heavy metals in Mytilus galloprovincialis, suspended particulate matter and sediment from offshore submerged longline system, Black Sea

The study was performed between March 2009
and March 2010 at the Sinop Inner Harbor on cultured
mussels at the offshore submerged longline system. The
samples of mussels, sediment and suspended particulate
matter were seasonally taken for the purpose of monitoring
differences of metal contents. In addition, burnable organic
matter, contamination factors (CF), pollution load index
(PLI) in sediment samples, meat yield of mussels were
seasonally determined. All metals in suspended particulate
matter were found to be above the national limit. Cd
concentration in sediment was above the limit according to
sediment quality guidelines, and Cd concentration in
mussel was above both national and international limit
values. According to CF and PLI identified in sediment, it
was found that Inner Harbor was under the effect of
anthropogenic pollution in terms of Cd accumulation.
Provisional tolerable weekly intake calculated in mussel
did not exceed the tolerable consumption values. In conclusion,
it can be said that this region considered for
commercial mussel cultivation is not a suitable area.