Heavy metals in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Ionian Sea, Italy

Concentrations of six heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Sn) were determ ined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected between June and Sept ember 1997 from 10 locations along a sound formed by two inlets (Mar Piccol o) near the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy). The average concentrations of the heavy metals found in mussels samples were 0.15 mg/kg for Hg, 1.19 mg/kg for Pb, 0.64 mg/kg for Cd, 0.31 mg/kg for Cr, 5.15 mg/kg for Zn, and 0.54 mg/kg for Sn. The concentrations of heavy metals in mussels from the f irst inlet did not differ greatly from those observed in mussels from the s econd inlet. The concentrations of heavy metals in the mussels analyzed wer e below acceptable levels for human consumption.