Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine mercury levels in sediments, surface sea water and Holothuria leucospilota muscles and skin in two selected sites from Karachi coast. Samples were collected during two seasons south-west monsoon (August-September) and north-east monsoon (December-January). The concentrations of Hg in sediment ranged from 0.0012 to 0.0023 mg kg-1, and in surface water from 0.00018 to 0.00034 (µg l-1), while in muscle and skin of black sea cucumber ranged from LOD to 0.0034 and LOD to 0.0046 mg kg-1 dry wt., respectively. Moreover, Hg showed the highest accumulation rate in the skin tissue with BSAF values ranging between 2 in Buleji and 2.69 in Sunehri at north-east monsoon. The BSAF values in the muscles of the black sea cucumber ranged from 1.44 at south-west monsoon in Buleji to 1.63 at north-east monsoon in Sunehri, respectively. Since BSAF value is higher than 2 on the skin of sea cucumber, it is evaluated as macro-concentrator. However, the BSAF value varies between 1 and 2 in muscle, it has been determined as micro-concentrator. Hg in the black sea cucumbers from Buleji and Sunehri sites of the Karachi coasts is “very bio-accumulative” (BCF > 5000) during both sampling seasons.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.