The Mussel Watch concept

The use of bivalves as sentinel organisms for collectives of marine pollutants is evaluated with data from the U.S. Mussel Watch, 1976–1978. The utilization of soft parts and of the shells are compared for metals and plutonium. Finally, the need for a global mussel watch, emphasizing the analyses of chlorinated hydrocarbon biocides in the tropics and southern hemisphere, is presented.