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4169350 
Journal Article 
Review 
Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis spp.) as sentinel organisms in coastal pollution monitoring: A review 
Beyer, J; Green, NW; Brooks, S; Allan, IJ; Ruus, A; Gomes, T; Bråte, ILN; Schøyen, M 
2017 
1 
Marine Environmental Research
ISSN: 0141-1136 
130 
338-365 
English 
28802590 
WOS:000413382600036 
The blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) is widely used as a bioindicator for monitoring of coastal water pollution (mussel watch programs). Herein we provide a review of this study field with emphasis on: the suitability of Mytilus spp. as environmental sentinels; uptake and bioaccumulation patterns of key pollutant classes; the use of Mytilus spp. in mussel watch programs; recent trends in Norwegian mussel monitoring; environmental quality standards and background concentrations of key contaminants; pollutant effect biomarkers; confounding factors; particulate contaminants (microplastics, engineered nanomaterials); climate change; harmonization of monitoring procedures; and the use of deployed mussels (transplant caging) in pollution monitoring. Lastly, the overall state of the art of blue mussel pollution monitoring is discussed and some important issues for future research and development are highlighted.