Using transplanted mussels to assess contaminants in Puget Sound's nearshore habitats

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Published: 2017

Pages: 2

Author(s): Jennifer Lanksbury, Laurie A. Niewolny, Andrea J. Carey, Sandra M. O’Neill, James E. West, Gina Ylitalo

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  • Our findings suggest toxic contaminants are entering the nearshore food web of the Puget Sound, especially along shorelines adjacent to highly urbanized areas; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were the most abundant organic contaminants measured in mussels.
  • There were significant positive correlations between upland watershed land development and nearshore levels of PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, DDTs, lead, copper, and zinc.

Suggested citation

Lanksbury, J.A., Niewolny, L.A., Carey, A.J., O'Neill, S.M. West, J.E., and Ylitalo, G.M. (2017) Using transplanted mussels to assess contaminants in Puget Sound's nearshore habitats. p. 10 In 2016 Salish Sea Toxics Monitoring Review: A Selection of Research. Edited by C.A. James, J. Lanksbury, D. Lester, S. O'Neill, T. Roberts, C. Sullivan, J. West. Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring Program. Tacoma, WA. 68 pp; https://www.eopugetsound.org/sites/default/files/features/resources/PSEMP_2016_ToxicsSynthesis%202017.05.09.pdf (PDF)