Concentration of metals in shrimps and crabs from Thane - Bassein creek system, Maharashtra

Abstract

Levels of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni in shrimps and crabs from Thane-Bassein creek system were evaluated for a period of one year and reported as baseline for future monitoring of this vital ecosystem. The pattern of concentration was in the order of Zn>Cu>Cd>Ni>Pb. In shrimps maximum level of Cu (av 41.3 ppm dry wt) and Zn (av. 164 ppm dry wt) were observed respectively in <i>Metapenaeus brevicornis</i> from Thane creek and <i>Exopalaemon stylifera</i> from Bassein creek. The crabs, <i>Scyllaserrata</i> from Thane creek showed maximum concentration for Cu (73 ppm dry wt) and Zn (376 ppm dry wt). Cd, Pb and Ni

<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman";="" mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:en-in;="" mso-fareast-language:en-in;mso-bidi-language:hi"="" lang="EN-IN">contributed very little to the percentage contribution of the metals estimated. In general the concentration of metals in shrimps and crabs were 2-11 times higher than that reported for Bombay harbour. However, the levels of these metals have not exceeded the limit prescribed for consumption.</span>