Multivariate data analysis of some xenobiotic trace metals in mussels from the gulf of Trieste.

The concentration of Cd, Hg and Pb in the soft part of mussels has been studied by means of bi- and multi-variate statistical approaches. In particular, the principal component analysis has been applied to study the association among these toxic metals in mussels sampled from the gulf of Trieste, which is a critical area as far as mercury pollution is concerned.