Effect of the 1991 Gulf war on metal bioaccumulation by the clam (Meretrix meretrix)

Clams (Meretrix meretrix) were collected during April–May 1991 (post-war period) from five locations along the Saudi Arabian coast of the Gulf. All the soft tissue from each clam was removed and digested separately at 120°C for 3 h in the nitric-perchloric acids mixture. Twenty metals were determined in the acid digests using an inductively coupled plasma analyser. Clams (Meretrix meretrix) were also collected from the same stations in April–May, 1985 (pre-war period) and analysed for Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn. Wherever appropriate, these data were compared with those collected in this study. Sediment and seawater samples were also collected during clam sampling. Concentrations of selected metals were determined in the sediment and seawater samples. Concentrations of Ba, Ca, K, Mg, P, and Sr were affected significantly (p