Article Distribution of heavy metals in surface water suspened particulate matter sediment and clam from downstream of SaiGon Dong nai river in Vietnam

DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION

This study aimed to evaluate distribution of selected heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd)
in clams Meretrixlyrata (clam), suspended particulate matter (SPM), water and sediment in the
downstream area of Saigon – Dong Nai (SG-DN) River. During March to September 2015, the
contamination of those metals at four sampling sites from fresh water to brackish water zone and
Meretrix Lyrata clams, which were cultured at many clam farms at Can Thanh beach at Can Gio
District, were monitored. The concentrations of metals in clam samples were also determined at
a comparative sampling site at Tan Thanh beach (Tien Giang province). Generally, the order of
metal concentrations in all environmental components along the SG-DN River was
Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb>Cd while the metal concentrations in different environmental components at
Can Thanh area were in different orders. According to the results, the increasing tendency of
only Cu, Zn and Cd concentrations in SPM and sediment from river upstream to estuary were
found. All trace metal concentrations in clam samples were higher than in water and smaller
than in sediment and SPM at Can Thanh. Only Cr concentrations in medium and small clam
samples had positive significant correlations with those in sediment and SPM (medium size
only). In comparison with concentrations of trace metals in water, sediment, SPM and clams at
Tan Thanh, those at Can Thanh were higher.