First detection of microcystin in Puget Sound, Washington, mussels (Mytilus trossulus)

AbstractPresence of the cyanobacterial hepatotoxin microcystin was detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in mussels (Mytilus trossulus) from Puget Sound, Washington. Microcystin was found in all but one mussel exposed to inflows from a lake, with maximum concentrations of 52.4 ppb. This is the first known report of marine bivalves in Puget Sound, Washington, accumulating microcystin from freshwater sources.