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Strong correlations between metal in mollusk soft tissue and nonresistant sediment fraction: a tool for biomonitoring intertidal zone of the Persian Gulf, Iran

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Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined in three species of mollusks and associated sediment. Samples were collected from two locations along the intertidal zone of the Persian Gulf near Bandar Abbas. The study was conducted during the spring of 2011, 10 sediment samples and 15 mollusks from each of the following species: Saccostrea cucullata, Solen brevis, and Callista umbonella, were simultaneously collected. Soft tissue, shell, and sediment were tested for metals using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Geochemical fractions of the sediment were examined for metals using a sequential extraction technique. Our results indicate that over half of Cd and Pb in the sediment had natural origins. Independent sample t test showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) inter-tissue differences in accumulation of Cd and Pb. Soft tissue of C. umbonella contained highest levels of Cd. Pb accumulation was highest in S. brevis shell. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between Cd in the soft tissue of C. umbonella and its levels in the geochemical fractions of the sediment. Lead levels in the resistant geochemical fractions of the sediment and S. brevis shell were significantly correlated. Our results suggest that soft tissue of C. umbonella and shell of S. brevis are reliable biomonitoring tools for Cd and Pb, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Mr. Bagheri of the Iranian National Institute of Oceanography (INIO) for his critical evaluation of this manuscript, and we thank Mrs. Afshar and Haghdoost for their laboratory assistance. Funding for this research was provided by Tarbiat Modares University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box 46414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran

    Zahra Bagheri & Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari

  2. P.O. Box 7038, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, USA

    Mozhgan Savabieasfahani

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  1. Zahra Bagheri
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  2. Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari
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  3. Mozhgan Savabieasfahani
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Correspondence to Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari.

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Bagheri, Z., Bakhtiari, A.R. & Savabieasfahani, M. Strong correlations between metal in mollusk soft tissue and nonresistant sediment fraction: a tool for biomonitoring intertidal zone of the Persian Gulf, Iran. Environ Monit Assess 186, 1977–1986 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3511-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3511-x

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