Trace mineral profiles of the bivalve species Chamelea gallina and Donax trunculus

In this study, ICP-MS was used to determine concentrations of trace minerals found in these two economically important bivalvia species. Samples were collected from the Sea of Marmara in Turkey over a 12-month period in 2006–2007. The concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, Mn, and Ni were significantly higher in Donax trunculus than in Chamelea gallina (p < 0.05). By contrast, Hg and Cd levels in C. gallina were significantly higher than in D. trunculus. Based on the limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), our results suggest that these two species do not represent a risk for human consumption when the soft tissue is consumed with moderation. Highest arsenic concentrations of C. gallina and D. trunculus were found in spring samples (3.125 mg/kg and 3.669 mg/kg). Arsenic levels should be monitored in the future.