Trace Metal Levels in Muscles and Exoskeleton of Pink Shrimp (Penaeus brasiliensis and paulensis) from a Subtropical Coastal Region, Laguna Estuarine System, Brazil

Contamination by heavy metals produced by either anthropogenic or natural activities represents a threat to man and marine life. The present paper aimed to carry out in situ monitoring of trace metals using shrimp species from an estuarine area as a bioindicator of environmental contamination. The shrimps were captured by fyke net during the rainy and dry periods, and the metal concentrations in the muscles and exoskeletons were determined. The results showed that the metal concentrations decrease in the following order Fe> Zn> Cu> Mn> Cr> As> Pb> Cd for both samples groups, muscles and exoskeletons, being the muscles presented lower concentrations. Metal concentrations were within the permissible limits allowed by the Brazilian legislation, except for Pb. Bioconcentration factor was below 1 for most of the metals, what it means that metals are not accumulating in the shrimp body.