Mollusca As A Bioindicator of Heavy Metals Pollution in Shatt AL-Arab
Estuary

Zahra'a S. R. Al-Shamsi1, Abbas H. Mohammed1 , Hamid T. Al-Saad2*
Page No. 1-6

In The present study we determined the concentrations of eight heavy metals ( Lead, Nickel,
Copper, Chrome, Zinc, Cobalt, Cadmium and Iron) in exchangeable and residual phase by using
Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) for Mollusca (Theodoxus Jordani, Corbicula
flumenia, Turberculata Melanoides and Melanopis nodosa) from the sediment core samples.
Melanides turberculata have high ability to accumulation Ni and Cd in their tissue and this can be
used as a bioindex of Ni and Cd pollution index, Corbicula flumenia have high ability to
accumulation Co in their tissue and this can be used as a bioindex of Co pollution index and
Melanopsis nodosa have high ability to accumulation (Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn and Fe) in their tissue and
this can be used as a bioindex of (Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn and Fe) pollution index. The degree of
contamination in the Mollusca had been evaluated by using Contamination factor (CF) and
Enrichment factor (EF). Based on Contamination factor (CF) this environment were moderate
contamination with Pb , low contamination with (Ni, Zn, Cu, Cr and Fe) , very high contamination
with Cd and low to moderate contamination with Co. Based on Enrichment factor (EF) this
environment were very severe enrichment to extremely severe enrichment with Pb, severe
enrichment with (Ni, Zn, Cu and Cr ),extremely severe enrichment with Cd and severe enrichment
to very severe enrichment with Co. An increase in average concentration of heavy metals in
biomass due to increase heavy metals in water and sediment of Shatt Al Arab River.
Key words: Mollusca, Heavy metals, Exchangeable, Residual, sediment core, Shatt AL-Arab
estuary.