Determination of differential heavy metal and trace element accumulation in liver, gills, intestine and muscle of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River in Serbia by ICP-OES

The accumulation of heavy metals in fish has been extensively studied and well documented. However, the research has been mainly focused on the muscle tissue, while the distribution patterns among other tissues, such as liver and gills, have been mostly neglected. Within the present study, the concentrations of Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn and Li in the muscle, gills, liver and intestine of the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) from the Danube River have been assessed by using the inductively-coupled plasma optical spectrometry. The analysis has revealed a high degree of differential accumulation of the studied heavy metals and trace elements in the tissues of the Danube sterlet. Liver appeared to be the main heavy metal storage tissue, while the lowest levels of analyzed metals were found in muscles. Heavy metal concentrations in the muscle were at acceptable levels for human consumption, except partly for cadmium. We conclude that, in order to enable a more efficient control of contaminants in fish products, there is an apparent need to resolve the problem of lack of legal limits for many metals in European legislation.     

Organic acid solutions in the chromatography of inorganic ions. VII. Cation exchange of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II), Ba(II), Mn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) in succinate media

Summary The cation-exchange behaviour of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II), Ba(II), Mn(II), Cd(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II) and Fe(III) in succinate media at various concentrations and pH, was studied with Dowex 50 WX8 resin (200–400 mesh) in the NH ₄ ⁺ form. As examples separations of Cd(II)/Co(II), Cd (II)/Ni(II), Fe(III)/Cu(II)/Ni(II) and Mg(II)/Ca(II)/Sr(II)/Ba(II) have been achieved.This work was supported by C.N.R. of Italy.     

Trace elements in Variegated Bolete (Suillus variegatus) fungi

Metallic elements such as Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, and Zn were determined using ICP-OES in a representative set of fifteen fruiting bodies of the edible fungus Suillus variegatus. Fruiting bodies were collected from unpolluted areas near the village of Lubichowo of the Bory Tucholskie forest complex in northern Poland in 2007?C2008. The caps were richer in Ag, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K,Mg, Ni, Rb, and Zn, and the stipes in Ba, Ca, Mn, Na, Pb, and Sr. Cobalt concentration in the caps and stipes was similar. In the caps, the content of the elements decreased in the order (mg per kg of dry weight): K 29000 ± 3700, Fe 1600 ± 80, Mg 990 ± 110, Rb 320 ± 86, Zn 90 ± 19, Ca 75 ± 34, Al 68 ± 32, Na 40 ± 18, Cu 19 ± 7, Mn 13 ± 7, Cd 1.0 ± 0.5, Ni 0.64 ± 0.32, Ag 0.40 ± 0.20, Cr 0.33 ± 0.06, Pb 0.20 ± 0.17, Ba 0.19 ± 0.11, Sr 0.15 ± 0.09, and Co 0.070 ± 0.050. Apparently, S. variegatus collected from background areas are relatively low in Pb and Cd and so are suitable for human consumption.     

Comparative study of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues of farmed and wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using ICP-OES technique

The objective of this research was to determine the differences between farmed and wild rainbow trout in terms of heavy metal and trace element accumulation in edible tissues. The samples were analyzed for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); and for Hg by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). The results were expressed as μg/g of dry weight. With the exception of Ba and Sr, liver had significantly higher heavy metal and trace element concentrations compared to the muscle in farmed or wild fish. Higher levels of Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn and Zn, as well as lower levels of Cu and Sr were found in tissues of wild rainbow trout compared to its farmed relative. Levels of Cd in 41.6% of farmed fish samples and 45.8% of wild fish samples exceeded the European Commission regulation. Regarding the Pb, concentrations in 50% of farmed fish samples and 62.5% of wild ones were above the European Commission limit. However, levels of Hg and As in all of the examined samples were lower than the legislated limits. The differences in heavy metal and trace element accumulation observed between farmed and wild fish were probably related to the differences in their environmental conditions and dietary element concentrations.     

Evaluation of strontium isotope abundance ratios in combination with multi-elemental analysis as a possible tool to study the geographical origin of ciders

In order to evaluate alternative analytical methodologies to study the geographical origin of ciders, both multi-elemental analysis and Sr isotope abundance ratios in combination with multivariate statistical analysis were estimated in 67 samples from England, Switzerland, France and two Spanish regions (Asturias and the Basque Country). A methodology for the precise and accurate determination of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope abundance ratio in ciders by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) was developed. Major elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg) were measured by ICP-AES and minor and trace elements (Li, Be, B, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, W, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U) were measured by ICP-MS using a collision cell instrument operated in multitune mode. An analysis of variance (ANOVA test) indicated that group means for B, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Se, Cd, Cs, Ce, W, Pb, Bi and U did not show any significant differences at the 95% confidence level, so these elements were rejected for further statistical analysis. Another group of elements (Li, Be, Sc, Co, Ga, Y, Sn, Sb, La, Tl, Th) was removed from the data set because concentrations were close to the limits of detection for many samples. Therefore, the remaining elements (Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba) together with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope abundance ratio were considered for principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Finally, LDA was able to classify correctly 100% of cider samples coming from different Spanish regions, France, England and Switzerland when considering Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope abundance ratio as original variables.     

Mineral constituents of edible parasol mushroom Macrolepiota procera (Scop. ex Fr.) Sing and soils beneath its fruiting bodies collected from a rural forest area

Concentrations and interrelationships of twenty elements were studied in parasol mushroom and in the top layer of soil (0–10 cm) from the area of Kiwity (Poland). K, P, Mg, Ca, and Zn were found to be the most abundant elements in the mushroom. Higher concentrations of Fe, Mn, Na, Ni occurred in stipes then in caps, while Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Rb dominated in caps. Ag, Al, and Ba concentrations in caps and stipes were similar. Parasol mushroom is efficient in up-take and separation of Ag, Cd, Cu, Hg, K (in caps, the bioconcentration factor is BCF ≥ 100), Na, P, Rb (50 < BCF < 100), and Mg, Zn (BCF > 10) in its fruiting bodies, while Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, and Pb are eliminated (BCF < 1). Parasol mushroom from rural forest area in the north-eastern region of Poland is of hygienic concern for human health because of toxic mercury and cadmium content in the edible caps, which are also rich in essential Cu, Fe, and their K, Mn, and Zn content is also high.     

Comparative instrumental multi-element analysis I: Comparison of ICP source mass spectrometry with ICP atomic emission spectrometry, ICP atomic fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry for the analysis of natural waters from a granite region

Summary Multi-element analysis by ICP source mass spectrometry for practically matrix-free natural waters, coming from a granitic area and, therefore, rich in trace elements, has been compared with ICP-atomic emission, ICP atomic fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry. The following elements have been investigated and their concentrations are in the decreasing order: Ca, Si, Na, Mg, K, Al; Sr, Mn, Ba, Fe, Rb, Zn, B, U, Y, Li, La, Be, Cs, Co, Cr, V, Sb, Bi, Th, Cu, Cd, Ni, Se, Pb, As, Hg, Mo, Tl, Sn. The concentration ranges were between 10 ppm and <0.01 ppb.As a measure of agreement between the different methods under investigation, two criteria have been used (a) the relative variation coefficient VK (%) of the mean element concentration of an element, determined by different methods in all the 98 water samples and (b) the linear, logarithmic and Spearman rank correlation coefficients between ICP-MS and each of the other methods. Detection limits are given from literature for about 32 elements using different methods.The elements Ca, Na, Mg, K, Mn, Sr, Zn, Fe, Li, Cu have been determined with ICP-MS, ICP-AES and AAS; Al, Ba with ICP-MS and ICP-AES; Si only with ICP-AES, whereas B, Be, Bi, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, La, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Th, Tl, U, V, Y only with ICP-MS. In all 34 of the investigated 36 elements could be analysed by ICP-MS, 14 (from about 20 possible) by AAS, 13 by ICP-AES and 12 by ICP-AFS.The agreement between ICP-MS and ICP-AES as well as between ICP-MS and AAS in most cases is remarkably good according to (a). VK (%) for each element in 98 water samples is in the range from ±2.6 to 10% for Na, Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Sr, Ba, Cu, Li (increasing order). Cd and Zn have unexpectedly higher values (±17.3 and ±20.5%); Cd concentrations are, however, near the detection limit.Comparing the different methods on the basis of correlation coefficients according to (b), gives for the Spearman rank correlation coefficient over the whole range of concentrations, respectively for ICP-MS/ICP-AES, AAS, ICP-AFS in case of Ca: 0.998; 0.984; 0.899; Na: 0.993; 0.991; 0.978; Mg: 0.997; 0.993; 0.959; K: 0.986; 0.942; 0.677; Al: 0.987; -; -; Fe: 0.864; 0.974; 0.701; Mn: 0.989; 0.990; 0.198; Sr: 0.988; 0.992; -; Zn: 0.894; 0.819; 0.300; Cu: -; 0.977; 0.202; Li: -; 0.907; 0.586.It is evident from these trace element concentrations as well as the electrical conductivities, that only about three fourths of the investigated samples are typical granitic waters and the remaining ones are associated with different geological background. The samples have been mainly radon waters with more than 18 nCi/l of Rn-222.

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Vergleichende Instrumentelle Multielementanalyse I: Vergleich von ICP-Massenspektrometrie mit ICP-Atomemissionsspektrometrie, ICP-Atomfluorescenzspektrometrie und Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie zur Analyse natürlicher Wässer aus einem Granitgebiet

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6th Contribution to the principles of trace analysis of elements and radionuclides

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Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Kelker, Frankfurt, on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Element patterns in healthy and diseased Norway spruce (Picea abies) measured by inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry and total-reflection x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Nutritive and toxic elements in growth rings of stem wood and in phloem, needles, and fine roots were determined by using inductively-coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry and total-reflection x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Along with the tree tissues, soil solutions were also analyzed. Trees were selected from different West German sites with wide variations in the degree of damage. Concentrations are presented for Ca, Mg, K, Fe, Mn, Al, Na, Sr, Ba, P, S, Si, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb. The results are discussed in terms of correlations between concentrations of elements and status of disease.     

Determination of trace elements of some Egyptian crops by instrumental neutron activation,inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometric and flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used for the determination of Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Ti, Th, V and Zn, ICP-AES for the determination Al, Ag, Ba, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Sc, Sr, Ti, V and Zn and flameless AAS for the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in egg plant, potatoes, green pepper (Leguminosae), vegetable marrow (Cucurbitaceae), pears, apple (Rosaceae), castor oil plant (Euphorbiaceae), lettuce (compositae), dill, parsley, coriander (Umbelliferae), and in some soil samples collected from Aswan province.     

Determination of metal impurities in ultrapure CaCl2 and MgCl2 by ICP OES

An effective, rapid and simple analytical method for the determination of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cd, Pb, Ba, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zr, Cu, Zn and Al at mg kg⁻¹ levels in the ultrapure salts MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ using optical emission spectrometry was developed. Optimisation of the operation conditions was performed with real samples of ultrapure MgCl₂ and CaCl₂. The results of the determination with multi-elemental water standards were compared to the internal standardisation, the standard addition method, and the maximum allowable content of the above mentioned elements in pure chemicals. The method was shown to be very sensitive with the following limits of detection: Na 1.01, K 3.12, Ca 0.263, Mg 0.275, Cd 0.0832, Pb 0.482, Ba 0.0153, Fe 0.0528, Mn 0.0473, Sr 0.0203, Zr 0.638, Cu 0.0732, Zn 0.0686 and Al 0.459 (all in mg kg⁻¹). The method exhibited satisfactory precision, high analytical recoveries, linear responses of an accuracy of at least 4 orders of magnitude and low contamination susceptibility.     

Accumulation of Major,Minor and Trace Elements in Pine Needles (Pinus nigra) in Vienna (Austria)

Increasing heavy metal pollution in the environment and the fact that pine needles are good bio-monitors for air pollutants was the reason to investigate their accumulation in pine needles in Vienna (Austria). Pinus nigra is widespread over the city, thus allowing the study of different parameters influencing metal accumulation. The sampling sites were chosen based on traffic volume (low, medium, high). Fresh shoots were collected alongside one-year-old needles once per week from May to August 2015. The needle samples were washed and dried prior to acidic microwave-assisted digestion followed by quantitative determination using spectrometric methods. The investigation was focused on the following elements: Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, U, V, and Zn. The one-year-old needles mainly contained higher contents of elements than fresh shoots; in many cases, the values differed statistically significantly. By correlating needle elemental contents with the sampling site, statistically significant differences were registered for the majority of the investigated elements. These differences originate from the local traffic situation, soil elemental levels, translocation processes, and not traffic-related sources. No general trend of metal accumulation from spring to summer was registered.     

Determination of trace elements in Egyptian cane sugar (Deshna Factories) by neutron activation,atomic absorption spectrophotometric and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometric analysis

Multielemental instrumental neutron activation (INAA), inductively coupled plasmaatomic emission spectrometric (ICP-AES) and atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) analyses are utilized for the determination of Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Be, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Eu, Fe, Ga, Hf, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Ni, P. Pb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Th, Ti, U, V, W and Zn in sugar cane plant, raw juice, juice in different stages, syrup, deposits, molasses, A, B and C sugar, refinery 1 and 2 sugar, and in soil samples picked up from the immediate vicinity of the cane plant roots at surface, 30 and 60 cm depth.     

Preparation, characterization and metal sorption studies of a Chrome-Azurol-S-loaded anion-exchange resin

Chrome Azurol S (CS) was mobilized on an strongly basic anion-exchange resin (Dowex 2 x 4, in Cl(-) form) by batch equilibration. The modified resin was stable in acetate buffer solution and in 0.1 M HCl and H(2)SO(4), but it was readily degraded with 2-6 M HCl and HNO(3). Retention of Ba(II), Sr(II), Ca(II), Mg(II), Al(III), Cr(III), Zn(II), Fe(III), Ti(IV), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) was studied using the batch equilibration method. The uptake and recovery yields were determined by using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (for Mg, Al, Cr, Ti, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb) and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (for Ba, Sr, Ca and Co). The optimum pH value was established for performing a selective separation of Al(III) from the other metal ions. The sorption capacities of the CS-loaded resing for Al(III), Cr(III), Mg(II) (at pH 6), Fe(III) (at pH 5) and Ti(IV) (at pH 4) were 14, 2.9, 0.3, 3 and 3.9 mumoles g(-1) respectively. On this basis a method for separating Al(III) from other cations was established.     

白族长寿地区硬果仁中19种元素的测定分析

用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP－AES）,对云南省白族长寿区的葵花子仁、麻子仁和核桃仁中的Ca、Mg、P、S、Na、AI、B、Fe、Zn、Cu、Mo、Sr、Mn、Cr、Se、Ge、Cd、Pb、As等19种元素进行了测定分析。结果表明,3种硬果仁中含有丰富的人体必需的Ca、Mg、P、S、Na、Fe、Zn、Mn、Se、Cu、Cr、Sr、Mo等有益元素,且P、Mg、S、Ca、Na、Zn、Mn、Fe、Se的含量较高。这些生命元素在3种硬果仁中的含量存在差异。有害元素Cd、Pb均未检出,核桃仁中As含量较高。硬果仁中富含这些生命元素是该地区老人健康长寿的一个重要原因。     

Summary of preparation and homogeneity characterization of ten agricultural food reference materials for elemental composition

Summary Preparation and development has been completed of ten agricultural/food reference materials (RMs): bovine muscle powder, corn starch, hard red spring wheat flour, soft winter wheat flour, whole milk powder, wheat gluten, corn bran, durum wheat flour, whole egg powder and microcrystalline cellulose. Homogeneity tests for 14 elements, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were performed by the initiating laboratories by application of precise and reliable analytical methods based on flame atomic absorption spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. An extensive set of analytical results obtained from the interlaboratory cooperative characterization campaign was assessed to provide homogeneity estimates for other elements. Estimates of homogeneity from within-laboratory precision indicated that all materials exhibited acceptable homogeneity for virtually all 29 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, V, Zn) for which best estimate concentration values are available. Two thirds of all homogeneity coefficients of variation were below 5%.     

Determination of trace elements in marine plankton by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

A method has been developed for the determination of 23 elements in marine plankton in which inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source mass spectrometry (MS) was used to quantify the elements in the solution after digestion in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids in sealed PTFE vessels in a microwave field. The procedure was validated by the analysis of a standard reference soil (SRM 2709 San Joaquin Soil) and a standard reference fresh water plankton (CRM 414). The method was applied to the analysis of several marine plankton samples grown under controlled conditions including several whose growth media had been enriched with selenium. Matrix induced signal suppressions and instrumental drift were corrected by internal standardization. The suitabilities of germanium, indium, rhodium, scandium and yttrium as internal standard elements were evaluated. Neither scandium nor yttrium could be used due to the presence of these elements in the samples, germanium was used for the determination of As, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Se, Si and Zn, indium was used for Al, Ba, Ca, Eu, Sr, and Tl, and rhodium was used for Cd, Cr, Hg, Mg, Pb, Sb, Sn, and V. For Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Si, Sr, V, and Zn internal standardization did not completely compensate for the suppressive effect of the heavier elements and the solutions were diluted. However, for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Eu, Hg, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn and T1, it was possible to obtain accurate results despite the 35-40% suppression in the signals. Isobaric overlap was only a problem in the cases of 42Ca and 78Se; 44Ca and 77Se, respectively, were used. Memory effects were only observed with Hg for which a nitric acid-sodium chloride solution was the most effective wash-out solution. The marine plankton samples were able to tolerate a higher concentration of Hg as the selenium concentration increased.     

Assessment of atmospheric deposition of metals in Ha Noi using the moss bio-monitoring technique and proton induced X-ray emission

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - The concentration of 22 metal elements including Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba and Pb in Barbula...     

Distribution of some major and trace elements in Danube Delta lacustrine sediments and soil

Sediment cores collected from lakes Mesteru and Furtuna (eastern part), Sontea channel and soil samples collected from Caraorman bar, all located in the Danube Delta, were analyzed for 42 elements (Ag, Al, As, Be, Na, Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ce, Hf, Hg, Tl. Pb, Bi, Th. U) by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), thick target proton induced X-ray emission (TT-PIXE) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The INAA and TTPIXE yielded total concentrations whereas the ICP-MS data reflected the fractions soluble in 14M HNO₃. The ICP-MS data exhibited surface enrichment relative to the lower part of the sediment core of Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi, most prominently by Cd and Hg. Their vertical distribution in the investigated cores generally reflected the pollution history of recent sediments in Danube delta, showing a steady increase until the end of the 1980s followed by a slow decrease after 1990. The vertical profiles of most remaining elements were characterized by a relatively uniform distribution along the cores. In some cases, the concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb exceeded minimum thresholds of safety, as defined by the Romanian regulations. The elemental composition of the sediment below 20 cm depth (total concentrations) was similar to that of the upper continental crust (UCC) for most elements. Values distinctly higher than UCC were observed for As, Sb (factor ~5) and Cr, Ni, Cu (factor 2 to 3). The nitric acid soluble element concentrations in the soil samples in some cases showed increased values at the surface as compared to 30 cm depth, either due to air pollution or to the action of plants. In no case a large contribution to the topsoil from atmospheric deposition was evident, indicating that the surface contamination of the sediments was mainly by riverine transport. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

ICP-AES analysis of metal content in shell of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian coastal waters

Metal content in samples of shell of mussel Mytilus galoprovincialis was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The efficiency of conversion of crude samples into solution by acid digestion in an open plate and in a microwave oven was examined by use of certified reference material of marine sediment and laboratory made standards of calcite and aragonite. Influence of high Ca content matrix on emission intensities of Al, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn was observed as depression of emission signal for most of the measuring elements, ranging from 0.8% to 8%. Greater values were noted at Ba and Ni emission lines. Enhancement of signals was observed for Na and Mg lines. The determination of As, Sb, Se and Sn was performed by HG/ICP-AES. The greater abundance of Sn was found in samples collected near the Al-processing industry centre. No detectable concentrations of As, Sb, and Se were found in shell samples. Results of ICP-AES metal analysis showed that samples collected near harbours, city waste or sewage outlets, and chemical industry centres indicate the certain level of contamination. It is shown that shell analysis provides useful data in determination of marine environment status.