Incorporation of in situ exposure and biomarkers response in clams Ruditapes philippinarum for assessment of metal pollution in coastal areas from the Maluan Bay of China

► Field exposure with caged clams is a valuable tool to assess quality of coast water. ► Digestive gland of clam is the effective tissue as indicator to xenobiotic exposure. ► Digestive gland biomarkers showed good correlations with metal contaminants. ► Incorporation of tissue analysis with biomarkers is a useful biomonitoring tool. ► Multivariate analysis can identify toxic xenobiotics and possible pollution sources.