Determination of Total Mercury (THg) and Methylmercury (MeHg) in Samples of Crabs (Callinecte amnicola)

Abstract

This work was initiated with the aim of evaluating the mercury content in crabs Callinectes amnicola at three sites in the Ebrié lagoon. The crabs were taken from the landing sites in the different areas. A total of ninety (90) crabs were graded to obtain a representative sample of all landings. The analyzes focused on the levels of total mercury and methyl mercury in the  Callinectes amnicola crabs. The analysis of variance showed that the site with the highest mercury content is the most urban site, namely the Boulay Island site in Abobodoumé. The results obtained showed that the total mercury content varies according to the mass and size of the crab. Furthermore, mercury, at all the sites of our study presents concentrations well below the threshold values ​​set by the WHO and the EU. The determination of mercury levels in crabs from different landing sites in the Ebrié lagoon makes it possible to assess the risks of contamination of the food chain, incurred by the top predator at the end of the chain, which is human beings, the main consumer of seafood products.