Metal concentrations in Anadara Granosa collected from intertidal mudflats on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn were analysed in different parts (shells, gill, mantle, muscle and remaining soft tissues) of the red blood cockle Anadara granosa collected from six geographical populations in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The metal concentrations (mg/g dry weight) in the total soft tissues of A. granosa were 0.07-1.74 (mean: 1.18) for Cd, 2.67- 20.10 (mean: 9.34) for Cu, 452-1202 (mean: 768) for Fe, 0.74-1.35 (mean: 0.94) forNi and 63-190 (mean: 114) for Zn. Evidence ofhigher concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn were found in some tissues of cockles collected from Kuala Juru while populations of Hutan Melintang and Bayan Lepas also showed some elevation of metals in certain tissues. This may indicate metal contamination and higher metal bioavailability of the above mentioned sampling sites. All the different tissues were useful in the assessment of trace metal bioavailabilities and contamination. Therefore, further attention on these sites is needed. All metal concentrations in the tissues of cockles were lower than the maximum permissible limits established by standard guidelines for food safety