Abstract

This study was aimed to estimate bioaccumulation potential of some minerals in edible muscle tissue of commercially important shell fishes like shrimps (Penaeus indicus and Solenocera crasicornis), crabs (Scylla serrata, Neptunus pelagicus and Charybdis cruciatus) and mussel (Perna viridis) fished from coastal waters of Mumbai along the West Coast of India. Shell fishes are known to bioaccumulate minerals in their tissues in direct proportion to that present in their habitat. The concentration of minerals was in order of B > Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Mn > Hg. The bioaccumulation of various minerals in edible tissues of different shell fishes showed significant differences (p=0.01). Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient was also investigated that showed significance. The study revealed that, shell fishes collected from Versova fish landing centre, Mumbai may be potentially nontoxic for consumption and/or export as concentrations of studied minerals were observed to be below the permissible limits as prescribed by FAO/WHO, nevertheless the presence of contaminants other than studied minerals cannot be ruled out and needs to be further investigated before asserting these seafood commodities innocuous for consumption by local populace, marketed and exported. KEY WORDS: Minerals, Bioaccumulation, Shell fishes, Versova Fish Landing Centre, Mumbai.

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