To evaluate the water quality along the continental shoresof Venezuela, where fishing communities exploit the clam Tivelamactroides, the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn,Cd, Ni, Pb y Cr) was determined in superficial sediments,together with environmental factors (temperature, salinity,dissolved O2, pH, phytoplanctonic biomass, seston, and total Nand P) of the litoral waters of Playa Güiria on the northeasterncoast (Sucre State), and of Río Chico and Boca de Paparo (Mi...