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In the present study, the seasonal concentration of seven trace elements was investigated in sediment and the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum tissues from two port areas in the North-East and South of Tunisia comparing cockles non-parasitized (NP) and parasitized (P) with digenean parasites. Elements concentration in sediments analyzed in both sites revealed that Zinc (Zn), Chromium (Cr), and Lead (Pb) were the most abundant ones, while Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg) were less abundant. The bioaccumulation of trace metals and Arsenic (As) in the tissues of cockles seems to be modulated by both the infection state and the parasite species. The relationship between bioaccumulation of metals and As, trematode species and abiotic parameters showed that the availability of certain metals for uptake by P cockles of both sites was influenced by the salinity and temperature of the water. Our results corroborate the possibility of using digenean infecting bivalves in biomonitoring aquatic ecosystems. • Parasites displayed distinct larval stages, prevalence patterns and seasonal distributions. • Metals concentrations in sediment such as Cd, Cr and Hg exceeded the TEL thresholds in both ports inTunisia. • Bioaccumulation of metals and As in non-parasitized and parasitized bivalves seems to be influenced by environmental factors and the parasitic species. • Biota-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) values revealed specific bioaccumulation trends of certain metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]