Proposed Environmental Quality standards (EQS) for blue mussel (Mytilus edulis).

Summary

The Norwegian Environment Agency recognizes the need to further develop Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) under EU’s Water Framework Directive. As one step in this direction the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) was tasked to propose EQSs for a selection of contaminants in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). The proposed EQS are derived either from the current EQS for coastal water, using a bioconcentration factor (BCF) or bioaccumulation factor (BAF) that is most relevant for blue mussel, or from the current EQS for biota, e.g. by correcting for a lower trophic level than fish. EQS are proposed for 24 selected contaminants that included six metals, 16 PAH compounds and two perfluorinated alkylated substances. The practical applicability of a few are questionable.