Abstract
Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) tissue and water samples, taken from several sites along the eastern Adriatic coast, were solubilized in tetramethylammonium hydroxide, extracted with hexane, derivatized with propylmagnesium chloride, cleaned-up on a silica column, the lead compounds separated by gas chromatography and quantified by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Tetraalkylleads in water samples were not determined because of their instability. Total lead was determined after acid digestion by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Maximal concentrations of organolead species in mussels were 43.6, 31.8 and 9.2 ng per g wet weight for tetraalkyl-, trialkyl- and dialkyl-lead, respectively, with ethyl derivatives predominant. Trimethyllead in mussels and water were highly correlated, indicating that mussels would be good bioindicators for this compound. Bioconcentration factors between mussels and water were lower for organolead compounds than for total lead, indicating less efficient bioconcentration of the former. There are 44 references.