Trace metal dynamics in mysids from the Cochin estuary

Trace metal concentrations in two species of mysids,Mesopodopsis orientalisandRhopalophthalmus indicus, from the Cochin estuary, were investigated during the monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Metal concentration (ppm, dry weight) ranges in mysids during the monsoon and pre-monsoon periods were: Fe (775.75 to 1254.12), Mn (7.85 to 14.57), Co (0.76 to 1.75), Ni (11.19 to 20.00), Cu (20.02 to 47.42), Zn (66.83 to 106.62), Cr (14.30 to 28.45), Cd (0.53 to 1.70) and Pb (7.16 to 14.19). Trace metal bioaccumulation in mysids was found to be species-specific with higher metal concentrations inR. indicusthanM. orientalis. Data on trace metal concentrations in mysids are important for environmental forensic investigations, useful for bio-monitoring (i.e., tracing) sources of contaminants (i.e., metal pollutants) and their impacts, and valuable for tracking the dispersal pathways of contaminants in estuarine environments.

Automated summary

Metal concentrations in two species of mysids from the Cochin estuary were studied during the monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. The data showed species-specific bioaccumulation with higher metal concentrations inR. indicusthanM. orientalis. These findings are important for environmental forensic investigations and bio-monitoring of metal pollutants.