Laboratory and field studies on the use of artificial mussels as a monitoring tool of platinum exposure in the freshwater environment

Abstract Background The artificial mussel (AM) is a passive sampling device that was originally developed for monitoring metal concentrations in the marine environment, but also increasingly used freshwater environments. AM consists of non-permeable Perspex tube, which closed on both sides with semi-permeable membrane. space between contains Chelex-100 beads, bind metals. allows determination dissolved, bioaccessible fraction water bodies without killing organisms, as well environments unfavorable conditions living bioindicators. In present study, use adapted platinum (Pt) ecosystem. Results elution Pt from beads optimized. Two modifications to original method AMs are recommended, i.e., washing and separation through centrifugation mixture 4.5 mL HNO 3 0.5 HCl approximately 2–3 h ensure release all bound beads. Additionally, uptake kinetics were determined under laboratory over wide exposure concentration range (0.1–1000 µg/L) showing highly correlated accumulation aqueous concentration. For tested 0.1, 1, 10, 100 µg/L, increased during period 6 weeks. At highest 1000 increase stagnated after To validate field, assessed together clams ( Corbicula fluminalis africana ), muscle liver tissue three fish species sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus common carp Cyprinus carpio ) Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus hyacinths Eichhornia crassipes at two sites mining area South Africa. Conclusion study showed promising tool monitor environment contaminated sites.