The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea exposed in situ for periods of 1, 5, 15 and 30 days along a stream which receives landfill leachate effluent showed increased Cr accumulation in gills and digestive gland, although Cr concentrations have been found to be low in sediment. Other metals such as Pb, Ni, Al and Cu were also analyzed but were found to accumulate in clam tissues in lower concentrations or without showing a consistent pattern. Thus, the accumulation of a single contaminant such as Cr is proposed to be used as a tool to assess exposure to a complex mixture such as landfill leachates.