Abstract

Specimens were collected from three estuarine localities of the Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia) namely northern Khobar, southern Khobar and Ad-Dammam estuarine beaches during January and August 2013 and June 2014. Three collections in the form of twenty specimens were samples in each month from each locality. Immediately these samples were dissected and ctendia were isolated and frozen at -20°C. Using energy dispersive X Ray fluorescence (EDXRF), accumulations of Sodium, manganese, aluminium, phosphate, sulphur, chlorine, cadmium, calcium, iron, nickel, copper, zinc and lead were measured. This trail has been investigated in triplets. Concentration of the heavy metals studied was compared with United Kingdom Quality Standards, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Saudi Arabian Standards Organization. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with PË‚0.05 and Turkey`s multiple analysis test were applied to all the data obtained from the software. This study concluded that clams live in southern Khobar estuarine beach contain percentage of heavy metals ≥ Saudi Arabian Standards whereas the clams live the northern Khobar and Ad-dammam easuarine beaches contain percentage of heavy metals ≈ Saudi Arabian Standards.

Key words: Biological markers, energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence (EDXRF), Anadara ehrengergi.