Mercury Levels in Selected Tissues of Blue Crab Thalamita prymna (Portunidae) from Musa Estuary, of the Persian Gulf

Content of mercury in hepatopancreas, muscle and exoskeleton of blue crab T. prymna from Musa estuary and their relationship with size of the organism and season were determined. Mean concentration of mercury in hepatopancreas, muscle and exoskeleton were 1.23, 0.61 and 0.41 µg/g dw, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in mercury levels depending on the sex with greater mercury contents in female crabs. Mean concentrations of mercury in tissues of crab during summer and winter varied and it was greater in summer than winter (0.94 and 0.75 µg/g dw, respectively).