Abstract:
The research was aimed at the study on accumulation of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in the economic bivalves namely cockle (Arca granulosa), green mussel (Perna viridis) and oyster (Crassostrea commercialis) collected from the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The analysis of heavy metals was performed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (HITACHI Z8100).The results of the study revealed that the average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zu in green mussel were found lower than the permission standard limit for aquatice living organisms. In contrast, the average concentrations of the heavy metals found in cockle and oyster samples were higher than the permission standard limit. The concentrations of four heavy metals found in the bivalves could be ranked as follow : Zn >Cu>Cd>Pb. The highest concentrations of lead, copper and zinc were found in oyster samples, whereas the highest concentration of lead, copper and zinc were found in oyster samples, whereas the highest concentration of cadmium was found in cockle. Stastical analysis showed that there is significant difference in heavy metal concentrations and the species of the bivalves. However, there is non-significant difference in heavy metal concentration is bivalves collected from various sampling stations. In comparison, heavy metal concentration in the bivalves from this study are lower than those previously reported.