Author(s): Dhinamala K, Shalini R, Pushpalatha M, Arivoli S, Samuel T and Dr. Raveen R

Abstract: Metal bioaccumulation by marine organisms is of serious concern that high levels of metals may have detrimental effects on the marine organisms and may create problems in relation to their suitability as food for humans. In the present study, the bioaccumulation of mercury in the gills and muscles of six species of shellfish viz., Fenneropenaeus indicus, Fenneropenaeus monodon, Fenneropenaeus semisulcatus, Scylla serrata, Meretrix casta and Clibanarius longitarsus from Pulicat lake, Tamil Nadu, India on a monthly basis for a period of two years from January 2011 to December 2012 during four seasons viz., postmonsoon, summer, premonsoon and monsoon were analysed. The accumulation of mercury in the gills and muscles of the six shellfish species exhibited seasonal as well as species specific variations. The overall results indicated that the gill tissues of Fenneropenaeus indicus accumulated the maximum amount of mercury (5.45µg/g) during monsoon in 2012. In conclusion, it is evident that even though the mercury content in shellfish at Pulicat lake did not exceed the safe limit, continuous consumption of large quantities of shellfish can lead to mercury toxicity.

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