Bioaccumulation of trace metals in the ocypodid burrowing crab, <i>Paratylodiplax blephariskios</i>, in Richards Bay Harbour, South Africa

Bioaccumulation of metals in an endemic ocypodid burrowing mud crab, Paratylodiplax blephariskios, was investigated contaminated mudflats the subtropical Richards Bay Harbour (RBH), South Africa. Following sampling water, sediment and crabs from three sites (Bhizolo, Mzingazi Coal Terminal) RBH during 2016/2017, tissue samples were oven dried for 48 hours, weighed digested advanced microwave digester. Samples then analyzed triplicate Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb Zn using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Highest concentrations recorded at Bhizolo. High Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) values Ni all confirmed that bioaccumulated these metals. The high Cr concentration (Bhizolo: 104 ± 18.2 µg g−1; Terminal (RBCT): 29.2 Mzingazi: 94.1 38.7 g−1) not reflected biota-sediment accumulation factor value, suggesting low bioavailability Cr. BSAF suggest threshold regulation P. blephariskios exceeded, resulting net bioaccumulation.