Heavy metals in soft tissue of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) of Puerto Concha, Colon Municipality, Zulia State

Abstract

To aim was determine the concentrations of heavy metals in soft tissues of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in Puerto Concha, Colon municipality, Zulia state. The study was descriptive and experimental. For this, a sampling consisting of 37 catches were taken during almost three years, from April 2007 to February 2010. Determinations of heavy metals: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), vanadium (V) and thallium (Tl) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ETAAS) were quantified. The results were expressed in mg/kg dry mass. The average concentrations of heavy metals did not exceed the permitted limits, however the presence of highly toxic metals such as Pb, Cd, As and Cr with unknown biological function is cause for concern and alert. The presence of toxic metals in soft tissues of blue crab, leads us to propose the study of these metals in living organisms, water and sediments near the affluent of the rivers, to detect the possible sources of pollution and take correctives to curb the entry of these elements into the environment (avoiding progressive deterioration of Maracaibo Lake). Callinectes sapidus is a key species in the studied ecosystem and could play an important role in transferring contaminants to higher trophic levels and the presence of these elements may raise concern for local biota