Abstract

The mussel samples (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were collected from 13 sites along 2,000 km of the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Specimens were collected in the wet seasons (winter) of 2003, 2004 and 2007, and in the dry seasons (spring and summer) of 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its derivatives, aldrin, heptachlor and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), were quantified in the whole mussel. The results of this multi annual survey pointed to low availability of these compounds in the Atlantic coastal environment, decreasing from north to southern areas. Furthermore, the coastal sites appear to be influenced by recent application of p,p'DDT. There is evidence of atmospheric transport of less chlorinated CBs and heptachlor. To our knowledge, this is the first time that organochlorines in mussels from this region are reported.

Key words: Mytilus galloprovincialis, pollution, organochlorines, Atlantic Moroccan coasts.