A Biomonitoring Study: Heavy Metals in Monodonta turbinata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) From Iskenderun Bay, North-Eastern Mediterranean

Metal (Fe, Zn, Cd, Cu, Co, Ni, Al, Mn, Pb and Cr) levels were investigated in the muscle tissue of Monodonta turbinata from seven different stations in Iskenderun Bay. Accumulations of all elements were effected from seasonal changes in all stations. The highest levels of Zn (101.42 g/g), Cd (9.01 g/g), Cu (334.47 g/g) and Pb (90.8 g/g) were found in the station Çevlik. However, the highest levels of Fe (3176.85 g/g), Co (12.76 g/g), Ni (26.93 g/g), Al (409.30 g/g), Mn (49.40 g/g) and Cr (45.06 g/g) were observed in the station Kaleköy. Mean concentrations except Zn that was lower in the station Dörtyol were generally lower in the station Yumurtalik. Fe showed the highest levels in all stations compared to the rest of the elements. The high concentration of heavy metals was observed during spring. The data indicate that M. turbinata is very efficient heavy metal accumulator and, therefore, may be used successfully to monitor heavy metal presence in Iskenderun Bay.