299
5.4.1.5 Copper (Cu)
Cu naturally occurs in the aquatic environment in low concentrations. Seawater Cu
concentrations are generally less than 1 ppb. Elevated aquatic Cu concentrations
primarily occur near copper mining and smelting facilities and in urbanized areas.
Aquatic habitats are susceptible to Cu pollution because they are the ultimate receptor of industrial and urban wastewater, storm water runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Cu is toxic at higher concentrations (Woody and O’Neal 2012).
Copper concentrations of Ruditapes decussutus and Ruditapes philippinarum
collected in different sites of Southern Spanish Atlantic coast were reported to be
1.6–3.7 mg/kg and 1.4–2.8 ng/kg, respectively (Usero et al. 1997).
Heavy metal concentrations in shellfish vary with season. In a study where seasonal concentrations of shellfish (bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods, cephalopods)
that are popular in Nha Trang, Vietnam are examined, lead, cadmium and mercury
concentrations in bivalves, crustacea and gastropods in rainy season (September,
November, and January) were significantly higher than the dry season (May, July)
(Nguyen et al. 2014). Gongora-Gomez et al. (2018) reported in pen shell (Atrina
maura) higher concentrations of metal (chromium, cadmium, nickel, lead, arsenic,
zinc, and mercury) in the dry season. Gokoglu et al. (2006) reported seasonal
changes in Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations of pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata). They
found the highest concentration among the metals was zinc. Seasonal variation in
concentrations of some metals has been reported to be associated with gonad maturation (Latouche and Mix 1981; Paez-Osuna and Marmolejo-Rivas 1990; PaezOsuna et al. 1995), food supply (Bryan 1973) and run-off of particulate metal to the
sea due to high precipitation (Fowler and Oregioni 1976).
5.4.2 Agricultural Chemicals
Many chemicals produced to facilitate human life pose a global threat to human
health and the environment, from the production stage to the consumption stage.
Chemicals used to increase human life quality and especially pesticides used in
agricultural production; As a result of uncontrolled, unconscious, and unnecessary
use, it has become a serious threat to the life and environment of the individual.
Every year, many people in the world get poisoned or die due to pesticides. Today,
chemicals called pesticides that fight pests are used to increase the product. However,
these chemicals stay in water and soil for a long time, causing pollution and reaching people through the food chain. These chemicals, which are suitable for their
purpose and benefit when applied in required doses and durations, can affect nontargeted organisms as a result of their careless and intensive use, on the other hand,
they can contaminate the soil and aquatic ecosystem. They are transported into
aquatic systems through surface run-offs, spray drifts, agricultural returns, and
groundwater intrusions. The residues of the pesticides used for intensive agriculture
5.4 Chemical Contaminants
5.4.1.5 Copper (Cu)
Cu naturally occurs in the aquatic environment in low concentrations. Seawater Cu
concentrations are generally less than 1 ppb. Elevated aquatic Cu concentrations
primarily occur near copper mining and smelting facilities and in urbanized areas.
Aquatic habitats are susceptible to Cu pollution because they are the ultimate receptor of industrial and urban wastewater, storm water runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Cu is toxic at higher concentrations (Woody and O’Neal 2012).
Copper concentrations of Ruditapes decussutus and Ruditapes philippinarum
collected in different sites of Southern Spanish Atlantic coast were reported to be
1.6–3.7 mg/kg and 1.4–2.8 ng/kg, respectively (Usero et al. 1997).
Heavy metal concentrations in shellfish vary with season. In a study where seasonal concentrations of shellfish (bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods, cephalopods)
that are popular in Nha Trang, Vietnam are examined, lead, cadmium and mercury
concentrations in bivalves, crustacea and gastropods in rainy season (September,
November, and January) were significantly higher than the dry season (May, July)
(Nguyen et al. 2014). Gongora-Gomez et al. (2018) reported in pen shell (Atrina
maura) higher concentrations of metal (chromium, cadmium, nickel, lead, arsenic,
zinc, and mercury) in the dry season. Gokoglu et al. (2006) reported seasonal
changes in Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations of pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata). They
found the highest concentration among the metals was zinc. Seasonal variation in
concentrations of some metals has been reported to be associated with gonad maturation (Latouche and Mix 1981; Paez-Osuna and Marmolejo-Rivas 1990; PaezOsuna et al. 1995), food supply (Bryan 1973) and run-off of particulate metal to the
sea due to high precipitation (Fowler and Oregioni 1976).
5.4.2 Agricultural Chemicals
Many chemicals produced to facilitate human life pose a global threat to human
health and the environment, from the production stage to the consumption stage.
Chemicals used to increase human life quality and especially pesticides used in
agricultural production; As a result of uncontrolled, unconscious, and unnecessary
use, it has become a serious threat to the life and environment of the individual.
Every year, many people in the world get poisoned or die due to pesticides. Today,
chemicals called pesticides that fight pests are used to increase the product. However,
these chemicals stay in water and soil for a long time, causing pollution and reaching people through the food chain. These chemicals, which are suitable for their
purpose and benefit when applied in required doses and durations, can affect nontargeted organisms as a result of their careless and intensive use, on the other hand,
they can contaminate the soil and aquatic ecosystem. They are transported into
aquatic systems through surface run-offs, spray drifts, agricultural returns, and
groundwater intrusions. The residues of the pesticides used for intensive agriculture
5.4 Chemical Contaminants