Differences in metal profiles revealed by native mussels and artificial mussels in Sariçay Stream, Turkey: Implications for pollution monitoring

Tuncer O. Genç, Beverly H.K. Po, Fevzi Yilmaz, Tai Chu Lau, Rudolf S.S. Wu, Jill M.Y. Chiu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Using the native mussel Unio crassus and artificial mussels (AMs), profiles of 11 metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, U, Zn) were determined and compared in winter and summer along a pollution gradient in Sariçay Stream, Turkey. Principal components analysis and correlation analysis showed that metal profiles in the native mussels and AMs were different. Concentrations of most metals were significantly higher in the native mussels compared with AMs, suggesting that metals in Sariçay Stream predominantly existed in suspended particulates and food compartments, rather than in dissolved form. Although U was not readily accumulated by the native mussels, it could be taken up by AMs. Overall, the results suggest that the use of native mussels and AMs in water quality monitoring can provide complementary information and a better estimate and coverage of different metal species and forms in aquatic environments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1372-1378
Number of pages7
JournalMarine and Freshwater Research
Volume69
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Oceanography
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology

User-Defined Keywords

  • environmental monitoring
  • heavy metals

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Differences in metal profiles revealed by native mussels and artificial mussels in Sariçay Stream, Turkey: Implications for pollution monitoring'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this