Trace metals in bivalves and seagrass collected from Venezuelan coastal sites

The bivalve mollusks Tivela mactroides and Crassostrea rhizophorae are abundant along the Venezuelan coast and are widely consumed as seafood. The globally important seagrass Thalassia testudinum is also abundant in Venezuelan. We report the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, V and Zn in the soft parts of Tivela mactroides and Thalassia testudinum, and the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni in the soft parts of Crassostrea rhizophorae, in seven Venezuelan coastal sites. Metal concentrations were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA) indicated that the organisms had different levels of metal bioaccumulation, and might be used as biomonitors for trace metals. Significant site-specific differences were found for the elements Cd, Cr, Ni and V in Tivela mactroides; Cd and Cr in Crassostrea rhizophorae; and V in Thalassia testudinum tissue.