Stable isotopes and metal contamination in caged marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Metal concentrations and isotopic composition were measured in different tissues of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in waters of the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) in order to assess pollution levels. The isotopic composition was correlated with lead, cadmium, selenium and nickel obtained from the digestive gland and foot of the mussels. Significant negative correlations were found between cadmium, selenium and zinc and the mussel foot, mainly for 13C. Significant correlations were also found between lead and cadmium and the digestive gland. Pearson correlations indicated that the 13C isotopic signal in foot is a good proxy for the concentration of metals such as lead, cadmium, selenium and zinc. Similarly, 15N isotopic signatures in the digestive gland reflected the lead and cadmium concentration.