Organic UV filter concentrations in marine mussels from French coastal regions

The accumulation of EHMC, OCT and OD-PABA, three common UV filter compounds, was investigated in marine mussels. Wild Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis were sampled in ten sites along the French Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts from June to November. In mussel tissues, 100% of the samples had quantifiable EHMC concentrations ranging from 3 to 256 ng g− 1 dry weight, while 55% of the samples had detectable OCT concentrations ranging from under 2 to 7 112 ng g− 1 dry weight. These concentrations significantly increased with the rising air temperature in summer, the recreational pressure and the geomorphological structure of the sampling sites (its lack of openness to the wide). This is the first study to report bioaccumulation of UV filters in marine mussels, thus highlighting the need for further monitoring and assessment.

► UV filters were detected in wild mussels collected along the French coast.
► EHMC and OCT were detected while OD-PABA was never detected.
► The concentration of UV filters increased with air temperature and recreational pressure.
► Bioaccumulation of EHMC in coastal wild mussels is dependent on recreational activities.