First assessment of trace metal concentration in mangrove crab eggs and other tissues, SE Brazil.
The mangrove crab Ucides cordatus is widespread in the Brazilian coast, which has an important role in nutrient cycling. This species reproduces in summer and females carry eggs about a month, when they maintain contact with water and sediments. It remains unclear if trace metals can be absorbed or adsorbed by the eggs during development. The present study aims to investigate, for the first time, trace metal concentrations in ovigerous female tissues and eggs of U. cordatus in two areas with different metal pollution levels in the Southeastern Brazil. Samples were collected in two different mangroves, Guanabara Bay (GB) highly polluted environment and Paraíba do Sul River (PSR). In both populations, we observed significant increase of V, Cr, and Mn concentrations along eggs maturation. The higher metals averages were found in PSR population. This trend was reported since the 1990s and lower concentrations in GB marine organisms were attributed to reducing conditions, high organic load, and the presence of sulfide ions. These conditions restrict the bioavailability of metals in the bay, with exception of Mn. No significant differences were observed in gills and muscles. In both populations of the present study, V, Zn, As, and Pb were higher in eggs of initial stage, whereas Mn, Ni, Cu, and Cd were higher in hepatopancreas. Beside this, V, Cr, Mn, As, and Pb showed an increase concerning egg development. Thus, V, As, and Pb in eggs come from two sources previous discussed: females and environment. Zinc came mainly from females due to essential function. Those new information should be considered as one of the mechanisms of trace metal transfer to the trophic chain, between benthonic and pelagic environment.
Campus do Valonguinho (Outeiro São João Batista, sem n°), Instituto de Química, Departamento de Geoquímica Ambiental (Sl. 404), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, CEP: 24020-150, Brasil. vianna.almeida@gmail.com.
Eduardo Vianna
EV
de Almeida
Campus do Valonguinho (Outeiro São João Batista, sem n°), Instituto de Química, Departamento de Geoquímica Ambiental (Sl. 404), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, CEP: 24020-150, Brasil.
Vinicius Tavares
VT
Kütter
CPRM, Serviço Geológico do Brasil, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Eduardo Duarte
ED
Marques
Campus do Valonguinho (Outeiro São João Batista, sem n°), Instituto de Química, Departamento de Geoquímica Ambiental (Sl. 404), Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, CEP: 24020-150, Brasil.
Emmanoel Vieira
EV
da Silva-Filho
D000818:Animals; D003386:Brachyura / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005880:Gills / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D043143:Hepatopancreas / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Brachyura; Guanabara Bay; Paraíba do Sul River; Trace elements; Ucides cordatus