Blue mussel
Photo: UPB-Projektgruppe Trier
One of the most important edible mussel species common in the North and Baltic Sea
The common mussel is one of the biggest producers of biomass in coastal waters. Its method of feeding causes it to filter from the water hazardous substances which have either dissolved or been adsorbed by organic and anorganic particulate.
The common mussel has been used for many years in national and international monitoring programmes as a load indicator for hazardous substances in coastal waters, and there is even a recommendation to set up a worldwide mussel watch
. The reasons for this are its significant function in the coastal water system, its ability to absorb and accumulate many hazardous substances rapidly while remaining sufficiently resistant, its sedentary behaviour with a high probability that mature individuals will not migrate from their original site, adequate availability, extensive geographical presence and not least widespread use as a source of human food.
The entire soft body is used as a specimen. Sampling takes place every two months.
For more information about the specimen, the sampling and the processing of samples see the Guideline for Sampling and Sample Processing Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis complex)
Recommended analysis examples
Search data
Target organs/Matrices
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The soft body of the mussel enriches the filtrated substances. It consists of muscles and inner organs.
Sampling area
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National Park in the largest brackish water (Bodden) habitat of the world.
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National park in the world largest connected sand and mud flats.
Analytes
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Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
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Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
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Organic substances with at least one metall atom
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Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom
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Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide
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Several isomeric compounds among the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons
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Group of organic compounds with at least three condensed six-membered rings
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Organic compounds which are fully (per-) or partially (poly-) fluorinated
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Class of synthetic fragrances
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Class of non-ionic surfactants and their degradation products
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Atoms of one element with different weights
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Flame retardants reduce the flammability of objects
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Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data
Sampling period
1985 - 2022
Biometric parameters
Extended information
Links to external information and legislation
Literature
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Morphologische und genetische Untersuchungen an den Probenarten Miesmuschel (Mytilus edulis) und Blasentang (Fucus vesiculosus) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Hybridisierungseffekten
Quack, Markus; Kosuch, Joachim
Trier: Universität Trier, Fachbereich VI – Biogeographie, 2005. - 170, 2005