The bioaccumulation of cadmium by the Blue Swimmer Crab Portunus pelagicus L.

Abstract

The Blue Swimmer Crab ( Portunus pelagicus) accumulates only cadmium in the hepatopancreas after being presented elevated levels of the metals Cd, Cu, Zn, As, Fe and Al via a food source, the mussel Trychomya hirsuta. Over 8 weeks, crabs were fed a controlled diet to determine the accumulation of metals. Significant ( P=0.05) Cd accumulation was detected after 4 weeks of feeding. Food mussels were sourced from either ‘contaminated’ or ‘uncontaminated’ sites. Mussels from uncontaminated sites had an average Cd level of 0.07 μg/g wet weight and contaminated mussels had an average of 5.2 μg/g wet weight. The usefulness of presenting metals in this way to assess potential bioaccumulators is further considered against other presentation methods.