Shrimp, Crabs and Squids as bio-indicators for heavy metals in Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Measurement of heavy metals in bio-indicators (shrimp, crabs and squids) has diagnosed excessive relevant in eco toxicological terms; reflect the bioavailability in the ecosystem that reasonable measurement of public health standards for the animals’ health. So, the aim of the present study is to find the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, As, Zn, Ni, Hg, Fe and Cr) in shrimp, crabs and squids from the Arabian Gulf. The results showed that the heavy metals in shrimp, squids and crabs recorded no significant differences between them for the most metals, and no significant differences between muscles, exoskeleton and whole body metals for shrimp and crabs. Pb, Cu and Cd heavy metals were not detectable in water, sediment, shrimp, crabs and squids. The bio concentration (BCF) for squids recorded higher values than shrimp and crabs for As, Zn and Hg metals, but BCF for shrimp recorded high values for Fe and Cr. The accumulate of Zn, Hg, As in squids recorded more values than crabs, shrimp, sediment and water, but sediment recorded more values for Fe, Ni, and Cr than others. This study offers baseline information on the impact of trace metals contamination on these species and aquatic environments.