Effect of mercury effluents on marine bivalves

Marichamy, R and Easterson, D C V and Kandasamy, D and Kasim, H M and Rajapackiam, S (1988) Effect of mercury effluents on marine bivalves. CMFRI Bulletin, 42 (2). pp. 410-413.

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Abstract

High concentration of mercury and acidity have been noticed in the effluents of Dharansadara Chemical Works and Plastic Resins and Chemical Centre near Kayalpatnam, south of Tuticorin. The bar mouth of the polluted lagoon is opened during November-January and the discharges of heavy metal toxicants in the open sea is of great concern in the management of marine and nearby ecosystems. Sea water in the industrial coastal area contains mercury in the range 18-70 pg/ml. Marine organisms such as bivalves have a particularly high capability for concentrating heavy metals. Investigations have been carried out on the survival of two important bivalves of the region Crassostrea madrasensis end Mesodesma glabratum of different size groups by abruptly exposing to different concentrations from sharp lethal to non-lethal concentrations of the industrial effluents, Samples of these two species have also been exposed to different sub lethal concentrations for varying durations to study the uptake and rate of accumulation of mercury in the tissues of the bivalves. The results of the observations are discussed. The study provides information as to when exactly the bivalves are brought under stress end for planning preventive measures to protect the valuable resources.

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