Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals(Zn, Pb, Cd and Ni)in Tissues ofMetapenaeus dobsoni (Miers, 1878) from Uran Coast, Raigad District, Maharashtra.

The importance of shrimps as a food is primarily because of its unmatched nutritional qualities. Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers, 1878) is commercially important seafood species.However rapid industrialization and urbanization have caused pollution of aquatic ecosystems to a great extent, which could lead to bioaccumulation of heavy metals in tissues of shrimp. Consumption of such shrimps may lead to the harmful effectson human health. The present study aimed to determine the extent of bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd and Ni) in hepatopancreas, gill, carapace, and muscle of Metapenaeus dobsoni from the Uran coast, Raigad district, Maharashtra using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer. Zinc level in hepatopancreas, muscle, carapace and gill was33.5ppm, 23.537 ppm, 9.697 ppm and 23.1975 ppm respectively.Lead level in hepatopancreas, muscle, carapace and gill was 0.25ppm, 0.0926ppm,0.11 ppm and 0.1885 ppmrespectively. Nickel level in the hepatopancreas, muscle, carapace and gill was 0.2396 ppm, 0.041ppm,0.0406ppm and 0.0675ppm respectively.Cadmium level in hepatopancreas, muscle, carapace and gill was0.0256 ppm, 0.0106ppm,nil and 0.017 ppm respectively. The study showed that these metals were present in the samples at different levels but within the permissible limits.