Evaluation of bivalves as bioindicators of metal pollution in freshwater.

The fresh water bivalves, Lamellidens corrianus, Lamellidens marginalis, and Indonaia caeruleus were exposed to chronic concentration of arsenic (0.1719 ppm), cadmium (0.1284 ppm), copper (0.033 ppm), lead (1.50 ppm), mercury (0.0443 ppm) and zinc (1.858 ppm) separately up to 30 days in laboratory. Dry weight of each animal was used to calculate metal concentrations (μg/g) and the metal body burden (μg/individual). It was observed that lead (1235.4 μg/g) and arsenic (37.9 μg/g) concentration were highest in Lamellidens corrianus, zinc (3,032.3 μg/g) was highest in Lamellidens marginalis, while mercury (5.87 μg/g), cadmium (142 μg/g) and copper (826.7 μg/g) was highest in Indonaia caeruleus.