Integrated Sediment and Mussel Chemical Analysis for Environmental Quality Assessment in Rovinj’s Coastal Waters (Northern Adriatic, Croatia)

Pelikan, Jadranka; Grozić, Kristina; Privileggio, Luca; Pavičić-Hamer, Dijana; Smodlaka Tanković, Mirta; Pikelj, Kristina; Glad, Marin; Hamer, Bojan (2025) Integrated Sediment and Mussel Chemical Analysis for Environmental Quality Assessment in Rovinj’s Coastal Waters (Northern Adriatic, Croatia). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13 (11). ISSN 2077-1312

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Abstract

Marine sediments are a key component of aquatic ecosystems, linking diverse water uses, functions, and services. Chemical contamination of sediments is a global concern, with many jurisdictions striving to prevent future pollution and manage existing contamination. This study evaluates the contamination status of Rovinj’s coastal waters using an integrated approach that combines sediment and biota chemical analyses. Sediments were analyzed to assess long-term contaminant accumulation (D8.C1), while the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) served as a bioindicator of bioavailable contaminants and their cumulative effects on marine habitats (D8.C2). Sediment samples were collected from five sites (S1–S5), and mussels were caged using Mussel Watch installations for approximately 120 days at a control site (Lim Bay) and within Rovinj harbor. Both matrices were analyzed for heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (16 PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), following the EU Water Framework Directive. All sampled locations showed a reduction in sediment contamination relative to 2011 data, with most concentrations below ecotoxicological thresholds. Exceptions included elevated ΣPAH and PCB concentrations in the harbor (S1 = 3.18 mg/kg DW; 0.33 mg/kg DW) and marina (S2 = 3.64 mg/kg DW; 0.89 mg/kg DW), as well as Ni levels (S3 = 30 mg/kg DW; S4 = 34 mg/kg DW). Despite higher contaminant loads at some locations, mussel contaminant bioaccumulation remained limited, and their vitality and survival were only moderately affected in the harbor. Although localized increases in some contaminants were detected, all calculated QPECm values remained below 1.0, indicating no significant ecological risk. However, a moderate-to-high probability of toxic effects (P) may occur with long-term exposure for biota inhabiting harbor and marina areas. The results of this study demonstrate continued improvement in the environmental quality of Rovinj’s coastal waters compared to the previous decade.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sediment chemistry; mussels; bioavailability; heavy metals; organic contaminants; environmental monitoring; coastal contamination
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences > Marine Science
Divisions:	Center for Marine Research
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Mussel Mitigation Feeds and Supply System Technological Development - MuMiFaST Bojan Hamer UNSPECIFIED BlueBio MARine Litter cross-borderawarenESS and innovation actions-MARLESS Mirta Smodlaka Tanković 10253874 EK
Depositing User:	Dr Bojan Hamer
Date Deposited:	14 Jan 2026 14:54
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/10837
DOI:	10.3390/jmse13112212

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