• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2010

Bung Boraphet is the largest freshwater reservoir in Thailand. This study examined the accumulation of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) in water, sediment and tissues of Asian clams (Corbicula sp.) within Bung Boraphet to assess the possible polluting effect of soil erosion and the dissolution of water soluble salts from the Nan River. Samples were collected from 12 study sites within Bung Boraphet between February and December 2008. The physicochemical parameters of the water including temperature, pH, turbidity, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, orthophosphates, biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, Cu, and Pb were measured. The water in Bung Boraphet was found to be medium clean according to the surface water quality standard of Thailand. The levels of Cu and Pb in the water were low but heavy metals were detected at higher levels in the sediment and tissues of Corbicula sp. In the near future, management practices and regulator approaches for Cu and Pb contamination will be needed to protect the water in Bung Boraphet.