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Bioaccumulation and public health implications of trace metals in edible tissues of the crustaceans Scylla serrata and Penaeus monodon from the Tanzanian coast

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Abstract

The coastal population in East Africa is growing rapidly but sewage treatment and recycling facilities in major cities and towns are poorly developed. Since estuarine mangroves are the main hotspots for pollutants, there is a potential for contaminants to accumulate in edible fauna and threaten public health. This study analysed trace metals in muscle tissues of the giant mud crabs (Scylla serrata) and the giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) from the Tanzanian coast, in order to determine the extent of bioaccumulation and public health risks. A total of 180 samples of muscle tissues of S. serrata and 80 of P. monodon were collected from nine sites along the coast. Both species showed high levels of trace metals in the wet season and significant bioaccumulation of As, Cu and Zn. Due to their burrowing and feeding habits, mud crabs were more contaminated compared to tiger prawns sampled from the same sites. Apart from that, the measured levels of Cd, Cr and Pb did not exceed maximum limits for human consumption. Based on the current trend of fish consumption in Tanzania (7.7 kg/person/year), the measured elements (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) are not likely to present health risks to shellfish consumers. Nevertheless, potential risks of As and Cu cannot be ruled out if the average per capita consumption is exceeded. This calls for strengthened waste management systems and pollution control measures.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very thankful to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the United Republic of Tanzania for providing permits to export samples. Fishermen and fishery officers in the study area are gratefully acknowledged for their support during sampling. Last but not least, the authors are very thankful to the associate editor and the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive remarks.

Funding information

This study was funded by VLIR-UOS (Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad – Universitaire Ontwikkelingssamenwerking: grant number ICP PhD 2013-009). The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Solomon Mahlangu College of Science and Education, P.O Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania

    Cyrus Rumisha

  2. Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Marine Biology, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Cyrus Rumisha & Marc Kochzius

  3. VrijeUniversiteit Brussel, Analytical, Environmental and Geo- Chemistry, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Martine Leermakers & Marc Elskens

  4. Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, P.O Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania

    Robinson H. Mdegela

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  1. Cyrus Rumisha
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  3. Robinson H. Mdegela
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Correspondence to Cyrus Rumisha.

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Rumisha, C., Leermakers, M., Mdegela, R.H. et al. Bioaccumulation and public health implications of trace metals in edible tissues of the crustaceans Scylla serrata and Penaeus monodon from the Tanzanian coast. Environ Monit Assess 189, 529 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6248-0

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