Assessment of metal concentration in Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) (Decapoda, Grapsidae) from two Brazilian mangroves under different anthropogenic influences

The red mangrove crab is an omnivorous endemic species that lives in mangrove areas throughout the Brazilian coast and is a potential bio-accumulator of metals. These ecosystems are usually located in regions with intense anthropic activity. They also have physicochemical characteristics such as fine grained sediments, that favor the stabilization of metal contaminants. This study quantified the accumulation of seven metals (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediment and in three tissues (gills, hepatopancreas and muscle) of Goniopsis cruentata that were collected during different periods from two mangrove areas. These mangroves, Cardoso and Sao Vicente Islands on the coast of the State of Sao Paulo, experience different anthropogenic influences. The concentrations of metals in sediments were below the established metal concentrations provided by sediment quality guidelines (TEL and PEL) at both sites, indicating no adverse effects on the local biota. The highest concentrations of toxic elements (As, Cd and Pb) were found in the individuals from Cardoso Island, and significant differences were found among the analyzed factors (site, season and sex). The relative concentrations of metals among the tissues exhibited the same pattern, i.e., gills hepatopancreas > muscle, except for Zn, with the highest concentrations recorded in muscle tissue. The levels of metals in muscle tissue were above the maximum permissible limits established for food by Brazilian legislation. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.