Seasonal variation of heavy metals in muscles of the crab callinectes ornatus (Ordway, 1863) from a tropical coastal lagoon, Brazil

Abstract

In the present study heavy metal (Al, Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) content in crabs Callinectes ornatus species were analyzed between July 2008 and April 2009, from Iquipari coastal lagoon, SE, Brazil, in order to use this species as a biomonitor. Metal determination was performed by an ICP/AES after strong acid mixture digestion of the soft parts of the organisms. Among all studied metals Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and V presented concentrations below the detection limit of the used method. The highest metal concentrations were always observed in the dry period when compared with the rainy period, evidencing seasonality in the distribution of these elements. Copper assimilation by females in the rainy season was higher than for males. Most of the studied elements presented a negative correlation with the body size, with higher concentrations in smaller organisms. As a general trend it was possible to observe that for all the studied trace elements the concentrations in the muscles of Callinecctes ornatus from Iquipari coastal lagoon were low when compared to others studies, therefore it is possible to consider the area as free of metal contamination and the results can also be used as background levels for these region.