The contamination of dateshell (Lithophaga lithophaga) from the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Polycyclic aroma tic hydrocarbons (P AH) in the dateshell (Lithophaga lithophaga) from a wide variety of different polluted and unpolluted habitats of the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea have been detected. UV-fluorescence spectroscopy was used far the analysis. Emission spectra were scanned at the wavelengths from 350-510 nm and the results were expressed in chrysene and Kuwait oil equivalents. The lower value determined in the investigated area was 0.41 ftg/g dry weight in the Dugi otok island and the maximum was 20.41 µg/g dry weight determined in a locality near the port of Šibenik. The levels of PAH in shellfish Lithophaga lithophaga are closely related to land-based sources contamination of the Adriatic Sea. The background levels in the dateshell are about 1.0 ,ug/g.