title: Assessing the spatial variability, level and source of organic chemical contaminants in bivalve fishing grounds on the Galician coast (NW Spain).
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, organotin compounds and triazines were quantified in sediments and bivalves collected in four areas on the Galician coast. One or several species were analysed at each site depending on their availability, including mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), clams (Venerupis pullastra and Ruditapes decussatus) and razor shells (Ensis siliqua). The general spatial distribution of contaminants was consistent in spite of the different sources of contamination. High inter-species variability was also observed. M. galloprovincialis and V. pullastra showed the highest levels of contaminants and intra-spatial variability, which highlights them as suitable species to be used as sentinel organisms. The area of O Burgo showed some worrisome results: PCB sediment concentrations were within the range that could cause biological effects. Also the level of heptachlor observed in V. pullastra was above limits accepted on edible seafood. Finally TBT concentration in mussels correlated with concentrations causing imposex in snails.
authors.affiliation: Marine Resources and Fisheries Research Group, Faculty of Sciences, University of A Coruña, Rúa da Fraga, 10, 15008 A Coruña, Spain. Electronic address: n.fernandez1@udc.es.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernández-Boán
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Verísimo
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freire
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005398:Fisheries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012758:Shellfish / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Bivalves; Organochlorine pesticides; Organotin compounds; PCBs; Sediment; Triazines