H.A. Abdolhay - Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Iran
J. Kazemzadeh Khoei - Department of Industrial Ecology Research Institute of Technology Development, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Iran
A. Raeisi Sarasiab - Department of Basic Science, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
M. Baniamam - Agricultural Planning, Economic and Rural Development Research Institute (APERDRI)
M. Hosseini - Department of Marine Biology, Zistab Sanaat of Persian Gulf Institute, Tehran, Iran

Bioaccumulation and distribution of heavy metal (Se, As and Pb) in muscle, gill and hepatopancreas of blue crab Portunus pelagicus from Bushehr coast, north part of the Persian Gulf, were investigated. Analyses of samples were by a GBC-۹۳۲ AA Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The average concentrations of Se, Pb and As in all tissues of crab were ۰.۴۸۵, ۱.۸۹ and ۰.۶۱۵ µg g-۱ respectively. The linear regression analysis showed there were a positive correlation between heavy metal levels and crab size. Also, there was a direct relationship between heavy metals levels in tissues crabs with feeding habitat. Comparison between male and female indicated that the average of heavy metal concentrations in female crabs were higher than those in the male crab, because female crabs feed on benthic animal that are close to bottom sediment and receives more sediment associated metals.  

Bioaccumulation, Heavy metal, Feeding habits, Portunus pelagicus, Persian Gulf