Mercury accumulation in different tissues of fish from Ulhas River Estuary and Thane Creek and the pattern of fish consumption among fish-eaters

Survey of fish-eating populations in five villages along Ulhas river estuary and Thane creek indicated inter-village differences in parts of fish consumed. Differential tissue analysis indicated higher Hg levels in gills, kidney and skin (0.895-1.118 μg/g), moderate levels in liver, bones and muscles (0.21-0.37 μg/g) and low levels in eyes and brain (0.04-0.093 μg/g). Skin and kidneys having elevated levels of Hg are commonly consumed by all. Pattern of fish consumption among villagers revealed that populations of Alimgarh and Diwe-Kewni villages consuming whole fish are exposed to high Hg concentration whereas populations of Vittawa and Airoli consuming only muscles are exposed to lower concentrations of Hg. In Wehele, a mixed population is observed as far as parts of fish consumed are concerned and therefore are exposed to Hg in moderate levels.