A Biomonitoring Study: Trace Metals in Amusium pleuronectes Shell from the Coastal Area of Chon Buri Province

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to conduct a preliminary investigation of pollution in the coastal area of Chon Buri province environment with a focus on heavy metals in Amusium pleuronectes shell. An energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer was used to determine the composition of mineral and levels of the heavy metals, gold (Au), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in the Amusium pleuronectes shell. The results showed that the highest to lowest accumulated metals are Fe, Mn, Cr, Zn, Pb and Au, respectively. The crystal structure and microstructure of the shells were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and IR spectroscopy, respectively. The XRD patterns and IR spectrum revealed that the samples is made of a mixture phase of aragonite and calcite. In addition, the Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy (ESR) was used to study the ions in the samples. It was found that the samples consists of Mn²⁺ ions in the calcite lattice of the
Amusium pleuronectes shell.