CAHIERS DE BIOLOGIE MARINE, cilt.62, sa.4, ss.295-301, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
Scanty information is available on the accumulation of heavy metals in mantis shrimps (stomatopods). Present study is a pioneer attempt from Pakistan to determine heavy metal contents in two species (Oratosquillina interrupta and Miyakella nepa). This study focused on a comparative analysis of heavy metals concentrations (Fe, Mn, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn and Cd) in these stomatopods from the Korangi Fish Harbor (Karachi, Pakistan) from February 2019 to December 2019. All samples were analyzed by using the AAnalyst 700 Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. It was observed that the average concentrations (mu g.g(-1)) of Fe, Mn, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn and Cd in muscle were, respectively: 4.308 +/- 1.078, 0.352 +/- 0.155, 0.022 +/- 0.021, 0.001 +/- 0.002, 1.373 +/- 0.625, 1.943 +/- 0.700 and 0.035 +/- 0.031 mu g g(-1) for O. interrupta. For the same metals sequence in M. nepa these values in muscle were 4.342 +/- 2.051, 0.507 +/- 0.239, 0.036 +/- 0.033, 0.004 +/- 0.006, 0.407 +/- 0.228, 1.852 +/- 0.672 and 0.032 +/- 0.031 mu g g(-1), respectively. Metal accumulations in muscle tissues of these species from Korangi Fish Harbour did not exceed limit values. However, with the increase in daily seafood consumption, these results are moving towards the point of danger.