Determination of the Biological Characteristics and Heavy Metal Levels (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni) of the Fossil Mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga L. 1758) (Meat, Shell, Rock) Showing the Distribution in the Antalya Gulf

In our work, Lithophaga lithophaga L. 1758, which is distributed in Antalya Bay were collected as samle from cliffs and in the sea .Samples were collected from two areas where the population was most intense in September with two different dives. Samples (mussel and rock) were transported to laboratory with ice-filled thermos, and morphological measurements of each mussel sample were made and their weights were noted. For heavy metal analysis, deep freeze samples (mussels and rocks) were taken out and washed in distilled water, the mussel shells were opened and the interior was completely removed. The samples (shell, meat and rock) were kept in the oven at 70oC for 48 hours and then dried. The dried samples were homogenized by microwave homogenization and burned using HNO3 and H2O2 at a ratio of 1:1. All samples were completed in 10 ml and heavy metal levels were measured using ICP-MS. All findings were evaluated statistically. T test for morphological data and Kr uskal-Wallis test for heavy metal data were applied. When the height and weight values of the mussels samples taken from two different localities were examined statistically, there was no significant difference between the two localities in terms of these 3 values, while the difference in the transverse values was significant. The heavy metal values in meat, shell and rock samples were statistically tested by the Kruskall-Wallis test. According to this; When the heavy metal levels of the first and second locally collected samples are compared, it is found that the heavy metal levels are similar in both localities. Cd, Zn and Cu are the highest in the meat, while in the shell and rock have the same value and lowest, Ni in the shell and rock is more and about the same, the lowest in the meat, Co in the meat is the lowest, the lowest in the shell and the rock is about the same, Pb is the most in the meat, followed by in the rock and in the shell. Hg could only be measured in the meat, the values that can be measured in the rock and in the shell are not at the limit. In our study, it was found that there was no meaningful difference between the two localities in terms of height, weight and size