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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Cadmium determination in Chilean blue mussels Mytilus chilensis: Implications for environmental and agronomic
J Max Blanc1, Carlos Molinet2, Ricardo Subiabre3
1Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Los Pinos s/n, Balneario Pelluco, Puerto Montt, Chile.
Abstract:
Cadmium is present in agricultural soil composition and is assimilated by plants. The mussel industry generates large volumes of calcareous valves as a byproduct of processing in factories. This solid waste is ground, stored and disposed of in the form of agricultural supplies near production areas in almost all regions of the world. Cd content was recorded in these calcareous substrate by-products of industrial processes. In this study, mussel shells were investigated in three areas in the sea of Chile; two areas with high aquaculture activity and one in a non-production area. Mass Spectrometry was used for [Cd] readings. There are no significant differences (p=0.92) in [Cd] between the studied areas. Additionally, the [Cd] observed in valves was also similar relative to different depths. The low [Cd] observed in valves (~0.014±0.0049mgCdkg-1 dry) suggests the potential use of this industrial byproduct in agricultural applications.
