Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn IN MUSSELS COLLECTED IN SANTOS BAY, S(A)over-tildeO PAULO, BRAZIL: LIMITS REQUIRED BY LOCAL LEGISLATION

This study quantified and evaluated the concentrations of trace elements Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in mussels Perna perna collected in Urubuquecaba island, Santos Bay, S (a) over tildeo Paulo, Brazil. This region presents port and industrial activities, as well as high population densification. The collections in natural mussel beds occurred in eight campaigns, two per season of the year, totaling 240 samples, from April 2010 to June 2011. The determination of the concentration of trace elements was performed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Flame. The statistical analysis used the PAST Software 1 using p <0.05 as significant. Average concentrations in mu g g(-1) wet weight obeyed the order Cd (0.11), Cr (0.37), Pb (0.38), Cu (1.63), Ni (2.31), Mn (2.33), Zn (27.11), Fe (179.97) and Al (375.23). The results were compared with other studies of mussels and Brazilian standards that establish maximum allowable concentrations for human consumption, only Cr showed concentrations above those permitted by Brazilian standards.