HEAVY METAL CONTENT AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT IN SOME EDIBLE MOLLUSKS FROM DONGZHAIGANG MANGROVE WETLAND, CHINA

The concentrations of heavy metals were determined and analyzed in seawater, sediments, and three edible mollusks from the Dongzhaigang mangrove wetland in China to assess the potential health risk to people. Sediment quality guidelines revealed that only zinc and cadmium levels in sediment stations were lower than the effects range-low and threshold effects level. However, heavy metal concentrations in the three edible mollusks more or less exceeded the safe limits of various standards, thereby indicating signs of potential risk. The metal pollution index indicated that Turritella terebra had greater capacity for metal bioaccumulation than Tegillarca granosa and Ostrea gigas Thunberg. The target hazard quotients of heavy metals were calculated to show the possible health risk of mollusk intake to consumers. However, the daily intake of mollusks does not have harmful effects on the human body. In addition, a safety concentration standard for Mn and V in mollusks was proposed.