Heavy metal accumulation in blue crabs (Callinectes Sapidus) in Gharb Region, Morocco

Abstract

The concentrations of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb, Al) were evaluated in the blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) tissues collected in January, April, June and September 2022 at two stations in Gharb region of Morocco (lagoon Merja Zerga, Nador canal) using ICP-MS. The metal concentrations in crabs from two stations was not differed significantly. The gill was the major organ accumulating metals, followed by hepathopancreas and muscle tissues. Except for Cadmium, the highest concentrations of metals were measured in the gill. The gill had higher concentrations of all heavy metals except for Fe (Cr 7.37 ± 0.05; Zn 149.9 ±0.05; Ni 2.88 ± 0.025; Cd 1.28 ± 0.1; Mn 136.72 ± 0.075; Fe 530.25 ± 0.075; Cu 138.17± 0.125; Al 179.25±0.1; Pb 27.1±0.025) in Merja zerga and (Cr 8.61± 0.05; Zn 125. 62±0.05; Ni 3.77± 0.025; Cd 1.24± 0.1; Mn 204.42 ± 0.075; Fe 380.75 ± 0.075; Cu 166.22 ± 0.125; Al 230 ±0.1; Pb 34.35±0.025) in Nador canal compared to muscle (Cr 5.22 ± 0.05; Zn 135.7± 0.05; Ni 2.44 ± 0.025; Cd ±1.34 0.1; Mn 245.95 ± 0.075; Fe 656 ± 0.075; Cu 156.62 ± 0.125; Al 229.25 ±0.1; Pb 11.92 ±0.025) in Merja zerga and (Cr 2.92 ± 0.05; Zn 168.82 ±0.05; Ni 2.05 ± 0.025; Cd 1.22 ± 0.1; Mn 141.25 ± 0.075; Fe 430.5± 0.075; Cu 155.4 ± 0.125; Al 254±0.1; Pb 20.35 ±0.025) in Nador canal. Among the metals analyzed, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al and Mn were the most abundant in the different tissues while Cd was the least abundant in C. sapidus. Seasonality in the levels of the nine metals was determined. the highest concentrations of all metals were observed in Autumn.