NERI Technical report no. 540. Cadmiumindholdet i kammusling Chlamys islandica ved Nuuk, Vestgrønland, 2004. Pedersen, K.H., Jørgensen, B. & Asmund, G. 2005. 36 pp.

 

English summary

In Iceland scallop (Clamys islandica) from Greenland cadmium concentrations exceed 1 mg/kg, the guideline concentration in shellfish for consumption in the European Union.

In this study 116 scallops caught app. 10 nautical miles south of the Greenland capital Nuuk were analysed for cadmium. The mean cadmium concentration was 2.93 mg/kg. 90% of the Cd is found in the kidneys of the scallops. As the kidneys are part of the commercial product today it is suggested that the kidneys should be removed during the production in order to keep the cadmium concentration below the EU guideline.

The growth rate of scallops in Greenland has been measured. The shell height of 65 mm is reached in scallops of an age of 4 to 5 years. The growth rate has increased a factor of 2 to 3 since 1987. The age of the scallops had no influence on the content of cadmium.

 

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