Mussels play an important role in the enrichment and transformation of elements in wetland ecosystems. In this study, Arconaia lanceolata, Hyriopsis cumingii, Cristaria plicata, and Unio douglasiae were used to analyze the content of five trace elements (Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) in different tissues (visceral mass, mantle containing gills, foot ). The results showed that all five elements were detected in four species of mussels. The average content of each element in the tissues of the four species of mussels was visceral mass > mantle > foot, except for the average content of Zn in the tissues of U. douglasiae was shown as mantle > visceral mass > foot. The average content of each trace element in the four species of mussels was Zn>Cu>As>Pb>Cd; The average contents of Cu and Pb in the four species of mussels were expressed as A. lanceolata > C. plicata > U. douglasiae > H. cumingii. The content of Pb in the tissues of A. lanceolata was 2.62-6.99 times of the other three mussels. The average content of Zn is expressed as U. douglasiae > A. lanceolata > H. cumingii > C. plicata, As is expressed as U. douglasiae > H. cumingii > C. plicata > A. lanceolata, Cd appears as A. lanceolata > U. douglasiae > H. cumingii > C. plicata, the content of Cd in U. douglasiae and A. lanceolata is 2.75-6.08 times of H. cumingii and C. plicata. The difference in the content of trace elements between different species is greater than the spatial difference in the content of trace elements of a certain kind. Mussels in the estuary of Lake Chaohu, where the trace element is polluted heavily, have a higher content of trace elements and the contents of trace elements in tissues in estuaries with less pollution are also relatively low, indicating that mussels can be used as indicator organisms for monitoring of trace element pollution in Lake Chaohu. The contents of Pb and Cd in the four mussels did not exceed the limit of the national food safety standards, but the safety risks caused by As accumulation in H. cumingii and U. douglasiae were not excluded, and large quantities of food were not recommended.