Assessment of trace elements and legacy contaminant concentrations in California Mussels (Mytilus spp.): Relationship to land use and outfalls

• Assessed mussel contaminant concentration with respect to land use parameters.
• Significant differences among land use categories for majority of contaminants.
• No significant differences between sites with and without outfalls.
• Emphasizes the utility in including land use parameters for pollution assessments.

NOAA’s Mussel Watch Program funded a regional pilot project in California that characterized contaminants associated with various land uses in conjunction with state, federal and private partners. Herein we assess the magnitude and distribution of trace elements and persistent organic contaminants in indigenous mussels with respect to land use, presence of outfalls and a subset of California Areas of Special Biological Significance (ASBS). We detected significant differences among the land use categories for the majority of trace elements and legacy contaminants measured. There was no significant difference between sites with and without outfalls. PCBs and PAHs were significantly lower in sites within ASBS boundary compared to other sites. The findings of this study will help fine tune future regional and national assessments as well as guide development of resource management and remediation activities and programs.