Distribution of Pb in Sediment and Shell of Rocky Oysters (Saccostrea cucullata) of Lengeh Port, Qeshm and Hormoz Islands in Persian Gulf, Iran

Concentrations of lead (Pb) were found in the shells of the oyster Saccostrea cucullata and sediments in May 2010. Samples were obtained at four sites on Qeshm Island, at three sites on Hormoz Island, and at three sites in Lengeh Port along the intertidal coast of the Persian Gulf of Iran. The levels of Pb in sediments and shells were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean Pb concentrations in the different sampling stations varied between 613.94 and 0.06 µg g-1 in the shells of S. cucullata and 180.78 and 0.86µg g-1 in sediments. Biological effects criteria suggest that Pb concentrations in sediments in three sites from Lengeh Port were higher than ERL (effects range low), but at the all sites were lower than ERM (effects range medium). The present results support the significant differences in shell and sediments’ accumulated concentrations of Pb among sites attributed to input sources of human activities including urban, domestic, industrial, agricultural, shipping and transport, mining activities, and ports and harbors