Analysis of metals in blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, from two Connecticut estuaries

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s001289900336· OSTI ID:525835

Jop, K M ^[1]; Biever, R C; Hoberg, J R; Shepherd, S P ^[2]

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1. Sciences Applications International Corp., Narragansett, RI (United States)
2. Springborn Labs., Inc., Wareham, MA (United States)

Decisions involving the use and allocation of resources in the nation`s coastal and estuarine regions require reliable and continuous information about the status and trends of environmental quality in those areas. In recent years much attention has been focused on assessing environmental risks resulting from the manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of chemicals. Legislation and public concern have produced numerous regulations concerning the introduction of chemicals into surface waters which increase the potential for human exposure. There is considerable concern about the human health aspects of metal cycling especially in coastal and inland waters that are in proximity to large populations or industrial centers. Many of these compounds tend to remain in the ecosystem and eventually move from lower to higher trophic levels within the human food chain. Blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, are important members of the estuarine food chain due to high abundance and their multiple role as scavengers, predators and prey. Because of their omnivorous feeding characteristics and association with sediments, blue crabs are exposed and may potentially accumulate significant amount of pollutants above background seawater concentrations. This species represents one of the most valuable fishery resources in the southern states. According to Marcus and Mathews blue crabs ranked fifth in 1984 and fourth in 1985 behind shrimp, swordfish, oysters and hard clams in economic value, but first in total weight for both years in South Carolina. Although in Connecticut blue crabs are harvested mostly for personal consumption, their commercial value in other states makes the results from any environmental survey of great interest from the consideration of risk to human health. This study evaluated the level of contaminants in Blue crabs in the summer months by examining the concentration of selected metals in samples of muscle and hepatopancreas tissue. 12 refs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 525835
• Journal Information: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Journal Name: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 58; ISSN 0007-4861; ISSN BECTA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CONTAMINATION
CRABS
ESTUARIES
HEALTH HAZARDS
METALS