Vanadium determination in Perna perna mussels (Linnaeus, 1758: Mollusca, Bivalvia) by instrumental neutron activation analysis using the passive biomonitoring in the Santos coast, Brazil

Abstract

Vanadium determination present in seawater is of great importance to evaluate marine contamination from industrial sources as well as to identify health hazards since mussels and other marine organisms are used as food. Besides, this evaluation in the Santos coast, SP, Brazil, is important, since this area is impacted by industrial and urban activities and discharges from ships and boats. In a previous study, V results obtained for transplanted mussel (active biomonitoring) were presented. This study aimed the V determination by passive biomonitoring by analyzing Perna perna mussels collected in natural environment, from three sites in Sa˜o Paulo State coast: Cocanha Beach (reference site), Ponta de Itaipu and Palmas Island. Ninety individuals of mussels were collected in each site between September/08 and July/09 during the four seasons of the year. After shell removal and sample preparation, V was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. For analytical quality control, the NIST Standard Reference Material SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue was analyzed and the results presented good accuracy. The V concentrations in mussels on dry mass basis varied from 0.77 ± 0.02 to 3.56 ± 0.88 mg kg-1 . Statistical tests were applied to the results showing differences on V concentrations among the sampling sites and season of sample collection.