
Bivalves, such as clams, frequently are used as bioindicators to assess coastal aquatic environments because they can accumulate trace metals and other substances-up to 100 times higher than the concentration levels found in the water in which they live, including elements such as chromium, lead, arsenic, and cadmium, which can be toxic even at low concentrations. Given that many bivalves are consumed by people, this bio-accumulation presents food safety as well as environmental risks.



