Heavy metal concentrations in green-lipped mussels collected from Tolo Harbour and markets in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Chris K C WONG, R. Y.H. Cheung, Ming Hung WONG*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

51 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Green-lipped mussels, Perna viridis, were collected from Kat O, Yim Tin Tsai, Ma Liu Shui and Tap Mun around Tolo Harbour and six local markets in Hong Kong (Aberdeen, Shau Kei Wan, Kowloon City, Mongkok, Yuen Long) and Shenzhen (Dongmun) between July 1994 and February 1995 and analysed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). The metal concentrations of mussels collected from the study sites were Cd (0.45-1.44 μg/g), Cr (0.82-4.89 μg/g), Cu (6.02-23.99 μg/g), Ni (3.25-6.87 μg/g), Pb (2.02-4.36 μg/g) and Zn (90-135 μg/g), while those from the markets were Cd (0.27-1.44 μg/g), Cr (1.09-3.30 μg/g), Cu (9.05-17.8 μg/g), Ni (2.44-5.25 μg/g), Pb (1.17-5 μg/g) and Zn (51-103 μg/g). The metal concentrations were below the maximum permissible levels set by the Hong Kong Government. In addition, seasonal variation of metal accumulation in mussels was investigated in Yim Tin Tsai and Ma Liu Shui and a reduction in the total heavy metal concentrations during winter was noted. The non-carcinogenic hazard index of mussels collected from Tolo Harbour and from Hong Kong markets was between 0.46 and 1.36 compared with those from Shenzhen markets (0.85-1.46), which indicated a low but possible risk in consuming the mussels. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)165-171
Number of pages7
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume109
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2000

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

User-Defined Keywords

  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Lead
  • Non-carcinogenic hazard index
  • Seasonal variation
  • South China Sea

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