Abstract:
A study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe,
Cd, Pb) in the molluscs tissues and sediment collected from three stations at Sabak Bernam,
Selangor. There are three stations which are located at river, estuary and beach. 5 species of
molluscs is collected which is Nerita lineata, Cronia margariticola, Cerithidea obtusa, Batillaria
zonalis and Anadara granosa. The concentration of heavy metals is analysis by using Flame
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). From the studies, it is known that obviously high
concentration of Fe (34220.00 ± 226.27 mg/kg) and Pb (7.83 ± 0.87 mg/kg) in the sediments
compare with gastropod tissues. While high mean concentration of Cu (116.15 ± 1.061 mg/kg)
and Zn (175.35 ± 7.30 mg/kg) found in the gastropods tissues than sediments. There are high
concentration of heavy metals contain in Cerithidea obtusa which is one of the edible gastropods
especially Cu (116.15 ± 1.061 mg/kg) , Zn (103.12 ± 9.09 mg/kg) and Mn (1417.00 ± 80.61
mg/kg). Anadara granosa is collected from restaurant and factory near by the cockles farming
area. It shown that mean concentration of heavy metals in decrease order is
Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. There are no significant different between the mean concentration of
heavy metals of Anadara granosa from restaurant and Anadara granosa from factory Some of
the gastropods have exceed the safety limits by Malaysian Food Regulation 1985 such as
Cerithidea obtusa and Cronia margariticola. Even though concentration of heavy metals of
cockles still in the safety level given, but it also contain quite high of heavy metals that nearly
reaches the safety limit, thus consumer still need to pay concern on this.