MONITORING TRACE-ELEMENTS IN THE MUSSEL, MYTILUS-EDULIS USING X-RAY-ENERGY SPECTROSCOPY

X-ray energy spectroscopy has been successfully utilized to provide rapid, multi-elemental, quantitative analyses of the intertidal mussel, Mytilus edulis, found in southern coastal waters of British Columbia (Canada). Since no a priori decision needed to be made on which elements required monitoring, concentrations of the seven dominant elements (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se and Pb) were determined in the gills and viscera of these organisms. The potential usefulness of XES for providing relevant data on aquatic bioaccumulators for environmental monitoring studies is discussed. © 1979.