1. Caged Mussel Bioaccumulation Monitoring in Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays
Lisa Lefkovitz
Battelle
Carlton D. Hunt
Maury Hall
MWRA
September 23, 1999

2. Mussels Introduction
Caged Mussels were deployed as part of the NPDES permit requirements to address bioaccumulatable contaminants and human health exposure associated with the Massachusetts Bay Outfall.

3. Mussels Monitoring Objectives
Deploy and collect mussels from multiple locations in Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay
Measure biological condition and concentrations of selected organic contaminants and trace metals
Establish baselines in Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays
Detect change in system after discharge
Evaluate conditions against monitoring thresholds (post-discharge period)

4. Concerns ATMOSPHERE WATER COLUMN SEDIMENT Ecological Human Health
Nutrients
Contaminants
Organic Material
Food Chain
Community Structure
Living Resources
Human Health
Contaminants
Bacteria
Viruses
Bioaccumulation
ATMOSPHERE
Light
Gas Exchange
Inflow
Outflow
WATER COLUMN
N2, | O2, CO2
Mammals
Planktivorous Fish
Sources
Rivers
Boundary
Nonpoint
Effluents
Piscivorous Fish
Phytoplankton
Dissolved
Lefkovitz
Zooplankton
Demersal Fish
Flounder
Microbes
Particulate
Detritus
Regeneration
Epibenthos
Caged mussels
N, P, Si, O2, CO2
Microbes
SEDIMENT
Infauna

5. Mussels Collection/Deployment Locations

6. Mussels Deployment

7. Mussels Biological and Chemical Parameters

8. Mussels Total PCBs
Predeployment Concentration

9. Mussels Total DDT
Predeployment Concentration

10. Mussels PAH Low and High Molecular Weight
Predeployment LMW Concentration
Predeployment HMW Concentration

11. Mussels Mercury
Predeployment Concentration

12. Mussels Lead
Predeployment Concentration

13. Mussels PCB Comparison to Thresholds Massachusetts Bay Outfall

14. Mussels DDT Comparison to Thresholds Massachusetts Bay Outfall

15. Mussels Hg Comparison to Thresholds Massachusetts Bay Outfall

16. Mussels PAH Comparison to Thresholds Massachusetts Bay Outfall

17. Mussels Chlordane Comparison to Thresholds Massachusetts Bay Outfall

18. Mussels Dieldrin Comparison to Thresholds Massachusetts Bay Outfall

19. Mussels Conclusion
Chemical concentrations are highest in caged mussels deployed at Boston Inner Harbor (BIH) and lowest at the Outfall site.
A new reference location in Cape Cod Bay, shows even lower concentrations.
Concentrations measured in1998 were among the lowest observed since 1991.
Concentrations at the Mass Bay Outfall were well below the MWRA Threshold levels, indicating no health risk.