The influence of sedimentary metals on the cockle A. trapezia tissue was examined using a strong difference in sedimentary metal concentrations in an embayment (Hen and Chicken Bay) highly contaminated in Cu and an adjacent cove (Iron Cove), strongly enriched in Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn within the heavily-urbanised Sydney estuary catchment (Australia). Statistically significant differences were recorded for cockle tissue metal concentrations between the study locations reflecting differences in surficial sediment metal concentrations. Low metal uptake was apparent in A. trapezia tissue, which were considerably less than background sedimentary concentrations and was of low-risk for human consumption. Dissimilar bioconcentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn was apparent in tissue of cockles (A. trapezia), prawns (Metapenaeus bennettae), mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Saccostrea glomerata), due possibly to different feeding patterns and biogeochemical conditions in bottom sediments.

Hypoxia is associated with mass mortality in estuaries, but a direct causal relationship has not been proven to date. This study aimed to demonstrate this relationship and to evaluate how the duration of hypoxia affects the survival of ark shells (Anadara kagoshimensis) using mathematical modeling. The dissolved oxygen concentration was monitored at two stations in the innermost area of Ariake Bay, Japan, to calculate the duration of hypoxia. This was then included in a mathematical model to simulate the population density with sequential computation. The population density decreased with prolonged hypoxia, reaching a value close to the observed population density, indicating that hypoxia is the main cause of mass mortality in ark shells. Furthermore, the ark shell population disappeared in 8days with constant hypoxia but persisted when hypoxia was alternated with normoxia every 6 h. Therefore, mass mortality is caused by the duration rather than the frequency of hypoxia.

Bivalves and sediments were sampled from mangroves in the Pacific Coast of Colombia to evaluate the concentrations of the 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) prioritized by U.S.EPA. Mangroves are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, such as oil spills, which affect sediments and the organisms that depend on that ecosystem. Twelve samples of mangrove and non-mangrove (sandy) sediments and 20 samples of Anadara tuberculosa from mangrove were collected in marine and estuarine areas. In sediments and A. tuberculosa, the highest concentration of Ʃ16PAHs was found in estuarine mangroves close to the Rosario River mouth, ranging from 171.4 to 564.0 ng g⁻¹ and 31.0 to 169.0 ng g⁻¹, respectively. For the bivalve, the concentrations showed less variability than sediment, with 25% and 20% of bivalve samples exceeding the limits established by the European Regulatory Commission and Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, respectively, which can cause effects on people's health. The PAHs isomeric ratios determined in sediments indicated that these compounds were originated mainly from petrogenic sources. The PAHs profile reveals the dominance of 3 and 4 rings PAHs in sediments and dominance of 4 rings PAHs in bivalves.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in marine molluscs could be a serious threat to the health of consumers; however, studies on this subject are limited. To understand this threat, the indicator PCBs (PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-101, PCB-118, PCB-138, PCB-153 and PCB-180) found in six different kinds of molluscs were determined, and the associated cancer risk for consumers that intake these indicator PCBs via molluscs was assessed. The total concentrations of PCBs in molluscs ranged from 17.51 to 47.43 ng/g (d.w.). The order of contamination levels for indicator PCBs in molluscs was Perna viridis > Ruditapes philippinarum > Crassostrea gigas > Mimachlamys nobilis > Glossaulax didyma > Anadara antiquata. Tri-, tetra- and penta-PCBs were the dominant congeners in molluscs from Haikou City. Tetra-PCBs are the most common PCB, accounting for 38.49% of total PCBs. Compared with previous global studies on PCBs in molluscs, the pollution level of indicator PCBs in the molluscs from Haikou City was lower than most of reports in Europe and China, but higher than those from France and Korea, suggesting a moderate pollution level. The 50% and 95% cancer risks of indicator PCBs in molluscs for adult consumers were 2.75 × 10−7 and 4.32 × 10−7, indicating that the cancer risk was at an acceptable level. Since the dioxin like-PCBs were not analyzed in this study, the cancer risk of PCBs to human health might be underestimated; therefore, more studies on PCB pollution in molluscs are required.

Mechanisms of feeding by the invasive gastropod Rapana venosa from different biotopes of 11 sites along the Black Sea coast are discussed. Two methods – edge-drilling and suffocation – are used, but the prevailing method in a particular biotope depends on the type of bivalve prey. Drill signs were present on almost all shells of Chamelea gallina, captured by rapa whelks in field conditions, while in a field experiment, only 11% of all empty Mytilus galloprovincialis had drilling signatures. The degree of radula abrasion was also dependent on the available bivalves: it was the highest in biotopes with C. gallina and juvenile mussels, and the lowest in biotopes with large mussels. Intermediate degrees of abrasion were observed in biotopes with mixed prey: C. gallina and Anadara kagoshimensis, C. gallina and mussels, or small and large mussels. Since we observed only initial signs of drilling, simultaneous application of boring and suffocation could take place.

This study aimed to evaluate the health risks of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), inorganic arsenic (As), and nitrate exposure through the consumption of bivalves and vegetables collected from local markets in Ho Chi Minh City. The present study analyzed four favorite bivalve species (Meretrix lyrate; Perna viridis; Anadara subcrenata; Anadara granosa) for concentrations of Cd, Pb, and inorganic As and 9 vegetable species (Brassica juncea; Brassica integrifolia; Brassica rapa chinensis; Nasturtium officinale; Lactuca sativa; Ipomoea aquatica; Amaranthus gangeticus; Ipomoea batatas; Spinacia oleracea) for concentrations of Pb and nitrate. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TR) were calculated to estimate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, respectively. For bivalves, Cd and inorganic As were present at relatively lower concentrations, whereas a relatively higher accumulation of Pb was recorded. The THQ for Cd, Pb, or inorganic As was below the threshold of 1, suggesting no potential health risks. In the case of vegetables, Pb was present at relatively low concentrations, while nitrate accumulation was at relatively high concentrations. The THQ for nitrate was higher than the threshold of 1, suggesting a potential health risk. The combined effects are estimated according to the hazard index (HI), which shows the health risks associated with the consumption of these bivalves and vegetable species. Therefore, continuous and excess consumption for a lifetime of more than 70 years has a probability of target cancer risk.

Phosphate (PO₄³⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) contamination causes the threatening issue of eutrophication. A major waste from seafood industries of various seashells including Anadara inaequivalvis, Saccostrea commercialis, Perna viridis, Tegillarca granosa, Filopaludina martensi, Babylonai areolate and Meretrix lusoria was thermally modified and investigated for PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ removal from synthetic and domestic wastewater. It was found that some raw seashells could remove ≥85% of PO₄³⁻, whereas their NO₃⁻ removal efficiency was poor. However, after calcination, among others, only M. lusoria pyrolysed at 800 °C (M. lusoria F800) was found as a novel adsorbent for both PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ removal. An increase in temperature and increased Ca(OH)₂ content enhance the removal of PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ by precipitating with calcium ions (Ca²⁺). M. lusoria F800 was the best for PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ removal compared with commercial lime and other calcined seashells. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qₘₐₓ) of M. lusoria F800 for PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ was 700 mg/g and 170 mg/g, respectively, which was higher than the Qₘₐₓ of PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ by commercial lime Ca(OH)₂ which was about 465 mg/g and 18 mg/g, respectively. The crystals of calcium phosphate-hydroxide and calcium nitrate-hydroxide complexes were mainly found in M. lusoria F800 that adsorbed PO₄³⁻ and NO₃, respectively, as confirmed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Also, M. lusoria F800 could completely remove PO₄³⁻ and NO₃⁻ from domestic wastewater. Hence, easily handled and cost-effective M. lusoria F800 would increase the value of this waste material, increase water quality and mitigate eutrophication.