Monitoring heavy metals in marine biota in the Gulf of Iraklion, North Crete, Greece

The Institute of Marine Biology of Crete has undertaken the monitoring of the marine environment of the Gulf of Iraklion in the framework of the MEDPOL-UNEP programme, aiming to the better understanding of anthropogenic pollutants distribution in the marine ecosystem. Heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg) were analysed in two different marine organisms. A filter feeder (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and a demersal fish (Mullus barbatus). The biota were sampled twice a year. Seasonal and annual differences in metal concentrations were studied.