Distribution of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in some recent molluscan shells from Lake Mariut sediment

Shells and shell fragments were the principal constituents of the core sediment taken from LakeMariut. Their trace metals were studied to assess their contribution to environmental adjustment. The results indicated that the shells of Biomphalaria alexandrina, Mercierella enigmatica and Melanoida tuberculate contain higher amounts of Cu and Zn than the widely distributed shells of Lucina sp. and Cerastoderma edule. The Pb contents found in different types of shells were higher than the other metals. The Cd contents found in different shell types were the most important fraction in comparison to the total Cd in the sediments of the lake. The relationship between the concentrations of trace metals and mineralogical analysis revealed that lead tended to be more concentrated in aragonite than in calcite.