The effects of sex and seasonality on the metal levels of different muscle tissues of mature Atlantic blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in Mersin Bay, north-eastern mediterranean

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal and sexual effects on metal levels of lump crabmeat (LCM) and chela crabmeat (CCM) of mature Atlantic blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, caught in the Mersin Bay, the north‐eastern Mediterranean. The findings indicated that the annual ranges of metal levels in the LCM of Atlantic blue crab were as follows: 0.44–0.61 μg Cd g−1, 0.30–0.60 μg Cr g−1, 0.24–0.52 μg Pb g−1, 9.72–43.70 μg Cu g−1, 39.52–97.26 μg Zn g−1, 11.97–32.48 μg Fe g−1. The annual range of metal levels in the CCM of Atlantic blue crab were as follows: 0.52–1.07 μg Cd g−1, 0.24–0.61 μg Cr g−1, 0.28–0.56 μg Pb g−1, 22.17–68.09 μg Cu g−1, 93.92–175.21 μg Zn g−1, 8.81–19.47 μg Fe g−1. Cd, Cu, Zn levels in CCM of Atlantic blue crabs were higher than in LCM, whereas Fe levels were found lower (P