Heavy metal content in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultured in the Ebro Delta in Catalonia, Spain

• Published in: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
• Main Authors: Meza Ochoa, Victoria Elena, Barata Martí, Carlos, Riva Juan, Mª del Carmen
• Other Authors: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Institut d'Investigació Tèxtil i Cooperació Industrial de Terrassa, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. TMAS (T+) - Toxicologia i Microbiologia Ambiental i Sanitària
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible::Degradació ambiental::Contaminació de l'aigua; Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria química::Química del medi ambient::Química de l'aigua; Water > Pollution; Aquatic organisms > Effect of water pollution on; Ebro River (Spain); Ebro River Delta (Spain) > Environmental conditions; Agriculture; Ebro; Human health; Metal; Oyster; Pollution; Aigua > Contaminació > Catalunya; Ebre > Condicions mediambientals; Crassostrea gigas
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2117/21234; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3064-z

The aim of this study was to determine heavy metal content (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Cd, Pb, and Zn) in oysters transplanted in Ebro Delta bays (Alfacs and Fangar) where oysters are traditionally cultured for human consumption. Metal body burdens were monitored weekly during the period ofmaximal agriculture activity from May to June in 2008 and 2009. Results indicate that regardless of the high levels of metals reported in biota living in Ebro River, metal levels in oysters from both bays were similar to those found in unpolluted areas and far below the maximum limits of tolerance recommended by the European Commission. Nevertheless, metal accumulation patterns in oysters differentiate two sources of pollution: one coming from agriculture activities within the Ebro’s delta for As, Cd, Cu, and Zn and other coming from Ebro River probably related to industrial activities upstream (Hg, Pb) or to lead shot pellets form hunting activities (Pb). Reported results, thus, are in concern with previous studies and indicate that metallic pollutants do not affect oysters cultures in Ebro Delta associated bays Postprint (published version)