Mussels, Memory, and the Recorders of the Coast: A Reflective Note on Heavy Metals, Coastal Pollution, and Planetary Health
Abstract:
This reflective article explores the ecotoxicological significance of marine mussels, particularly Perna viridis, as sentinel biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in the coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia. Grounded in both personal narrative and professional experience, I begin with a human health risk assessment of trace metals such as mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc in mussel tissues, and then expand into broader reflections on ecological degradation, sustainability, and planetary health. Drawing from over two decades of research, I revisit key sampling sites such as Kukup and Pantai Lido, where the act of collecting mussels became more than just scientific procedure—it became a profound engagement with ecological memory. These mussels, firmly anchored in place, silently accumulate pollutants over time, serving both as environmental sen tinels and symbolic mirrors of human impact. I integrate findings from biomarker analysis, health risk model ling, and long-term Mussel Watch datasets, and highlight shell deformities and physiological stress responses as emerging indicators of environmental stress. Ultimately, I reflect on the mussel as a symbol of resilience and remembrance, and advocate for science-based coastal restoration, pollution control, and sustainable steward ship in the face of accelerating climate challenges.
