Mercury bioindicators across the Mediterranean basin: evidence from a dataset on Mytilus galloprovincialis

Samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis across the Mediterranean Sea have been considered with a focus on the areas and periods where the mussels recorded high concentrations of mercury. In this regard, some critical areas have been found specifically around Portoscuso (Sardinia) and Livorno harbour (Tuscany), in the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as Trieste Gulf (Friuli) and Ka.stela Bay (Croatia), in the Adriatic one. For these identified hot-spot areas, findings about mercury trends in M. galloprovincialis, have been obtained through an analysis that might be useful to investigate the effectiveness of international regulatory actions for ultimately reducing the mercury exposure, in humans and wildlife.

Automated summary

This study focuses on high concentrations of mercury in Mytilus galloprovincialis samples across the Mediterranean Sea, particularly in hot-spot areas such as Portoscuso and Livorno harbour in the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as Trieste Gulf and Ka.stela Bay in the Adriatic Sea. The findings on mercury trends in M. galloprovincialis in these areas could be useful for evaluating the effectiveness of international regulatory actions aimed at reducing mercury exposure in humans and wildlife.