Reconstruction of Historical Metal Backgrounds in Lacustrine Environments of China Using an Anodonta woodiana “Specimen Bank”

Anodonta woodiana samples from Xidong Water Works and Mashan in Taihu Lake, Yiyang near Dongting Lake, and Taiping Harbor in Gehu Lake preserved in a “specimen bank” established for the “Freshwater Mussel Watch” monitoring program were used to determine the historical metal backgrounds from different waters in the present study. The elements Co, Ni, Mo, Cd, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, and Pb were determined using A. woodiana from four lacustrine sites. The results showed that Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, and Pb were all detected, whereas Co, Ni, Mo, and Cd were below the detection limits of 0.0165, 0.0106, 0.0189 and 0.0182 µg kg^− 1, respectively. In particular, A. woodiana was noted to be an unusual Mn hyperaccumulator (ranged from 5124.09 to 13015.47 µg g^− 1). The results of discriminant analysis showed that the four water samples could be accurately separated. This difference has the potential to infer the background difference of heavy metal pollution in different lacustrine habitats.