U.S. Mussel Watch 1976-1978: An overview of the trace metal, DDE, PCB, hydrocarbon and artificial radionuclide data

Data are presented for trace metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), aromatic hydrocarbons and 239,240Pu in Mytilus edulis, M. californianus, and Crassostrea sp. collected in the U.S. Mussel Watch program in 1976-1978 from 62 locations on the U.S. east and west coasts. General similarities in geographical distributions of concentrations were present in all 3 years with at least an order of magnitude elevation of concentrations of Pb, PCBs, and fossil fuel hydrocarbons in bivalves sampled near the larger urban areas. Elevated Cd and 239,240Pu concentrations in bivalves from the central California coast are apparently related to enrichments of Cd and nuclear weapons testing fallout 239,240Pu in intermediate depth water of the North Pacific and upwelling of this water associated with the California Current system. Our data have revealed no evidence of local or regional systematic elevations of environmental concentrations of 239,240Pu as a result of effluent releases from nuclear power reactors.