title: A new bioindicator, shell ofTrachycardium lacunosum, and sediment samples to monitors metals (Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu) in marine environment: The Persian Gulf as a case.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present work was designed to detect heavy metal contents of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu in sediments and shells of theTrachycardium lacunosumcollected in polluted and unpolluted areas along the Persian Gulf.
  
  
  METHODS
  The samples were taken from surface sediments (0-10 cm) and shells ofTrachycardium lacunosumin two separated areas (polluted and unpolluted) in northern part of the Persian Gulf, Asaluyeh Bay, during summer 2013. The prepared samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the results, all measured metals including Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Co, Cr and Cu were meaningfully higher in the sediment samples of polluted area compared to unpolluted area and the order of metal concentrations in the sediment samples were Cr > Co > V > Ni > Zn > Cu > Fe > Al > Mn in polluted area. In the case of shell samples ofTrachycardium lacunosum, polluted area contained significantly higher contents of Al, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr and Cu compared to unpolluted area and the order of metal concentrations in the shell samples were Fe > Zn > Al > Mn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Co in the polluted area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that shells of theTrachycardium lacunosumcan be used as a suitable bioindicator for heavy metals in the aquatic environment. Results confirmed that due to the possible contaminations by oil and gas activities near the polluted area perennial monitoring and mitigation measures is extremely necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid Noroozi
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Karbasdehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran ; The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Boostan 19 Alley, Imam Khomeini Street, Bushehr, Iran ; Systems Environmental Health, Oil, Gas and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dobaradaran
authors.affiliation: The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Iraj
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nabipour
authors.affiliation: The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Afshin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ostovar
authors.affiliation: The Persian Gulf Studies and Researches Center Marine Biotechnology Department, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vazirizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravanipour
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahrokh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazmara
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Mozhgan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keshtkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Roghayeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mirahmadi
authors.affiliation: Ecology Department, Iranian Shrimp Research Institute, Bushehr, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noorinezhad
keywords: Aquatic Organisms; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Metals; Persian Gulf; Toxicology; Trachycardium lacunosum