Availability of Venerid Clam, Amiantis umbonella as potential metal bioindicator in Bandar Abbas coast, the Persian Gulf

Concentration of thirteen metals were measured in the clam Amiantis umbonella and its parasite crab Arcotheres tivelae, sediment and water collected at two stations of the Northern coast of the Persian Gulf. Magnesium and iron were the two most abundant measured metals in clams, crabs, sediments and water. The maximum and minimum metal concentrations in clams were attributed to Mg (3541–5445 μgg−1 dry wt) and Ag (0.30 μgg−1 dry wt). Regarding metal concentration in different clam’s compartments, Pb in shell, As in digestive gland and Cu, Ag and Zn in remaining soft parts were more than other clam’s parts, crab, water and sediment as well. A. umbonella could be a useful bioindicator for As, Pb, Cu, Ag and Zn metal elements. A. tivelae could also be used as a valuable bioindicator for Cd in addition to the mentioned metals to survey metal concentration. There was insignificant difference between metal concentration in infested and non-infested clams. However, the average concentrations of metals in infested clams were less than non-infested during the study. A significant positive correlation was occurred between clam length and concentrations of Cd, Mn, Pb and Ag. There was also a positive significant correlation between accumulation of metals in clams, crabs, water and sediment. This study showed that variable metal concentrations were related to station and season interactions. However, stations and seasons did not affect metal concentration in clam, crab and water separately.