To assess the effect of environmental factors on the sustainability of cultured production manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum), we investigated the habitat characteristics of tidal flat (Hwangdo and Jeongsanpo in Taean). We measured the physiochemical parameters (temperature, salanity, pH, dissolved oxygen and nutrients) and the characteristics (mean size, chemical oxygen demand, ignition loss, C/N ratio and C/S ratio) of surface sediments. The C/N ratio of Hwangdo and Jeongsanpo were 9.0, 5.3 and the C/S ratio was 0.162, 0.159. The concentration of chlorophyll a at Hwangdo was higher than that of Jeongsanpo and species of micro algae were 102 and 100. The enrichment factor (Ef) and index of accumulation rate (Igeo) of the metals showed that those research areas can be classified as heavily polluted, heavily to moderately polluted, or more or less unpolluted, respectively. So two survey area of cultured clams in the tidal flat have been effected by the various environmental conditions, there are needed an improvement methods and continuous research for increasing the production of manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum).
