Trace metals in Penaeid shrimp and Spiny lobster from the Bay of Bengal

Abstract

Seasonal variation of trace metal (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Mn, Fe and Cr) concentrations in abdominal tissue and cephalothorax of Penaeid shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and Spiny lobster (Panulirus polyphagus) from the offshore fishing grounds of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh coast were analyzed from January to December 1996 by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Metal concentrations (µg.g-1 dry weight) ranged from 12.2 to 75.6 for Cu, 0.8 to 3.8 for Pb, 17.5 to 105.1 for Zn, 2.8 to 8.9 for Ni, 0.2 to 0.6 for Cd, 3.1 to 15.2 for Mn, 9.0 to 110.0 for Fe and 1.7 to 4.9 for Cr. Concentrations of metals in the muscle tissue (abdomen) were found to be lower than in the cephalothorax and the levels do not pose a health hazard for consumers. This is the first report of these elements in Penaeid shrimp and Spiny lobster from the Bay of Bengal.