Evaluating contamination in bivalve mollusks using the impedance method: a comparison with most probable number analyses and correlation with environmental parameters.

The application of an electrochemical (impedance) tool for monitoring contamination in shellfish was evaluated after 13 months of observation. The primary aim of the present study was to compare the standard most probable number (MPN) and μ-trac 4200 (log imped/100 g) for the assessment of contamination (log MPN/100 g) in non-depurated bivalve mollusks (BM) from five sampling areas of the Veneto-Emilian coast (Italy) (118 samples). The secondary aim was to evaluate the correlation between concentrations in BM and environmental factors on a large data set (690).