Effect of ligands and other metals on the uptake of mercury and methylmercury across the gills and the intestine of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)

Using the perfusion method, we compared the accumulation and flux of inorganic mercury (Hg) and methylmercury (CH3Hg) across the gills and intestine of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. The accumulation and transfer processes were studied for each form by exposing the organs in the presence of specific ligands and other metals. While binding of H and CH3Hg to organic ligands reduced the rate of uptake in most instances, the differences in accumulation could not be explained only in terms of passive diffusive uptake. Thus, it appears that Hg and CH3Hg accumulation is dominated by ligand exchange or facilitated transport processes. Exposure of the gills and intestine in the presence of a suite of metals and metalloids showed that inorganic Hg and CH3Hg uptake was largely by different mechanisms to that of the other elements, as there was little interaction in terms of uptake rate. Overall, the results of this study suggest that inorganic Hg and CH3Hg uptake into the gills and intestine of this invertebrate is by a variety of pathways, both active and passive, (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.