Identification of Potential Intertidal Bivalves as Biomonitors of Heavy-metal Contamination by Using Bivalve-Sediment Accumulation Factors (BSAFs)

This study provides important information on the biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) of three species of tropical bivalves from Peninsular Malaysia and focussed on the accumulation factors of the different parts of the bivalves. This study found that the different parts of the bivalves could be classified into a few groups, such as macroconcentrator (BSAF> 2), microconcentrator (1< BSAF< 2) or deconcentrators (BSAF< 1) as proposed by Dallinger (1993). From the results obtained, it was found that Polymesoda erosa is an overall good macroconcentrator (therefore the most potential biomonitor among the three species) for Cd (in all parts, namely muscle, foot, mantle, gill, shell and remainder), followed by Zn (except for shell), Ni, Cu and Pb. For Donax faba, it is a good macroconcentrator for Zn (foot, mantle, gill and remainder), followed by Cu, Cd and Ni. For Gelonia expansa, only 1-2 parts were considered as macroconcentrators for the accumulations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd. Based on the BSAF values, it is suggested that the macroconcentrators found in some parts of the bivalves, especially in P. erosa, can be particularly useful as potential biomonitors of heavy-metal pollution. Therefore, the present finding should merit further studies using the BSAF values of bivalves as indicators of metal bioavailabilities and contamination in coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia receiving anthropogenic inputs.