Arsenic speciation in clams of British Columbia

Abstract

Abstract The water‐soluble arsenic compounds in five species of clams – Butter clam ( Saxidomus giganteus ), Horse clam ( Schizothoerus nuttalli ), Soft‐shelled clam ( Mya arenaria ), Native littleneck clam ( Protothaca staminea ), and Manila clam ( Venerupis japonica ) – are described. Varying amounts of arsenobetaine and tetramethylarsonium ion are the major arsenicals found in all species. Butter clams show the presence of a third compound which appears to be trimethylarsine oxide. Small amounts of as‐yet‐unidentified arsenicals can also be isolated.