HEAVY-METALS IN GREEN MUSSELS (PERNA-VIRIDIS) FROM THE GULF-OF-THAILAND

Concentrations of seven heavy metals were determined in green mussels (Perna viridis) collected between April and June 1995 from eight locat ions along the coastal area of the Gulf of Thailand. The average conce ntrations (n = 96) of the heavy metals detected in mussel samples, on the basis of dry weight, were 1.20 mg kg(-1) for cadmium, 0.78 mg kg(- 1) for chromium, 9.85 mg kg(-1) for copper, 1.09 mg kg(-1) for lead, 2 .78 mg kg(-1) for manganese, 1.54 mg kg(-1) for nickel, and 93.48 mg k g(-1) for zinc. The levels of cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead foun d in green mussels from four locations in the Upper Gulf were signific antly (P < 0.05) higher than those detected in mussels from four locat ions in the Lower Gulf, while the levels of copper, manganese, and zin c did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the Upper and Lower Gulf. Comparison with earlier studies revealed that the concentrations of some metals in the mussels collected from the Upper Gulf are incre asing. The concentrations of heavy metals in green mussels from the Gu lf of Thailand were within acceptable levels for human consumption.