Heavy metals and some nutritional elements in the Mediterranean carpet shell clam <i>Donax semistriatus</i>

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals in the sea water, sediment and soft tissue of the carpet shell clam <i>Donax semistriatus</i> in the Egyptian Mediterranean coast. Level of Fe was the highest in the three components. However, the mean value of heavy metal accumulation in the clam tissues exhibited the following decreasing order: Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. Similarity between metals in both sediment and biota were analyzed. A comparison between the present results and others (local and international) was carried out. Fortunately, the present work recommended that <i> D. semistriatus</i> is safe and with nutritive value for human consumption.