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360203 
Journal Article 
Evaluation of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum as a sentinel species for metal pollution monitoring in estuarine tidal flats of Korea: effects of size, sex, and spawning on baseline accumulation 
Ji, J; Choi, HJ; Ahn, I 
2006 
1 
Marine Pollution Bulletin
ISSN: 0025-326X
EISSN: 1879-3363 
Elsevier 
52 
4 
447-453 
In this study, the concentrations of nine metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni) in Ruditapes philippinarum were evaluated in relation to body size, sex and reproduction. The effects of the intrinsic biological characteristics of R. philippinarum on metal accumulation were determined. R. philippinarum was collected from an intertidal flat within Kyeonggi Bay on the west coast of Korea Republic. Results showed that the concentrations of most metals in R. philippinarum varied significantly with body size, sex and spawning status, and closely resembled variations in conventional sentinel organisms, i.e., mussels and oysters. The overall concentration ranges of each element were also comparable to those of mussels and oysters, particularly mussels. Results indicated that R. philippinarum has metal accumulation patterns very similar to those of mussels and oysters, offering most of the requisite features of suitable biomonitor. In addition, R. philippinarum has several advantages over mussels and oysters. Importantly, it is easily identifiable to the species level. The relative gonad mass (% gonad mass of total tissue mass) of R. philippinarum at the time of sexual maturity is much smaller than that of mussels and oysters, which commonly exceed 50% of the total tissue mass. Thus, baseline metal levels in R. philippinarum tissue should be less variable throughout the reproductive cycle. It is suggested that R. philippinarum can be used as an alternative sentinel species in areas where mussels and oysters are scarce, particularly on soft substrates such as in estuarine tidal flats. 
biological indicators; cadmium; chromium; clams; cobalt; copper; estuaries; gonads; heavy metals; iron; lead; manganese; mussels; nickel; oysters; polluted water; reproduction; sex; spawning; water pollution; zinc; Korea Republic; Bivalvia; Mollusca; invertebrates; animals; eukaryotes; Veneridae; aquatic animals; aquatic organisms; East Asia; Asia; Developing Countries; Threshold Countries; OECD Countries; bioaccumulation; biomonitoring; body size; Mn; Ruditapes; Ruditapes philippinarum; South Korea; Aquatic Biology and Ecology (MM300); Water Resources (PP200); Pollution and Degradation (PP600); Industrial Wastes and Effluents (XX400); Reproduction, Development and Life Cycle (Wild Animals) (YY200) (New March 2000); Physiology and Biochemistry (Wild Animals) (YY400) (New March 2000)