Recent trends in coastal environmental quality: Results from the mussel watch project

This report summarizes the results obtained by the National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Project during the course of eight years. Measurements were performed on trace metal and organic chemical concentrations in surface sediments and whole soft-parts of mussels and oysters. The scope of the project included approximately 300 coastal and estuarine sites. Results indicated a decrease in chemical contamination for those chemicals which have been banned; however, no indications as to increasing or decreasing trends were determined for other chemicals.