Abstract
This study determined concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) in the clam Polymesoda solida, collected in nine different sites in the Strait of Lake Maracaibo and Bahia El Tablazo, to assess the spatial distribution of metals, and the safety of clam consumption by humans. Overall average concentrations ± standard deviations in µg/g dw were 8.34 ± 1.51 for As, 0.59 ± 0.28 for Cd, 13.80 ± 6.13 for Cu, 1.22 ± 0.51 for Pb, 2.29 ± 0.62 for Se, 2.59 ± 1.55 for V, and 24.70 ± 4.98 for Zn. No distinct trend in the spatial distribution of metals was observed, and levels in clams were below maximum permissible values for seafood consumption. Positive correlations of V with Pb, and Cd suggest common pollution sources, and their levels were comparable to other bivalve species from contaminated aquatic systems.
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