Spatial and seasonal distribution of trace metal concentrations in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and sediment of Bosphorus and Golden Horn.

The Golden Horn Estuary and Bosphorus Strait are two major marine environments of metropolitan Istanbul which have been exposed to intensive industrial discharges for more than 50 years. In the present study, concentrations of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were measured in mussel tissue and sediment samples by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy to assess the current status of metal pollution in the Golden Horn and Bosphorus Strait. Ranges of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in soft parts of the mussels were BDL-2.59; BDL-7.35; 3.96-20.90; BDL-10.0; and 124.8-293.2 μg g(-1) dry weight (dw), respectively, while the ranges of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in <63 μm sediment fractions were BDL, 19.5-300.3, 16.9-724.7, 10.5-260.9, and 39.3-793.1 μg g(-1) dw, respectively. Ranges of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn in >63 μm sediment fractions were BDL, 4.73-52.81, 3.45-481.87, 3.13-174.67 and 10.7-241.2 μg g(-1) dw, respectively. Trace metal concentrations found in sediment of the Golden Horn were 5-10 times higher than average literature values obtained in Mediterranean marine environment, whereas those of the Bosphorus Strait were consistent with or slightly higher than average literature values.