Two commercially important penaeid prawn species were collected from Rushik
ulya estuary for assessment of Hg content during March 1994 to February 199
5. The levels of mercury were determined by employing modified,Bethege appa
ratus and subsequently using a mercury analyser. The study revealed that Hg
concentration in the edible parts of Penaeus monodon and Penaeus indicus a
t both the stations was higher than that in the non-edible parts during mon
soon. Reverse trend prevailed in the premonsoon season. The station II, loc
ated near a chlor-alkali factory, always exhibited higher values as compare
d to station I located near the mouth. Further higher Hg concentrations in
P. monodon and lower in P, indicus was noticed at both the stations. Residu
al concentrations of mercury in the organisms were found to be fairly below
the legally permissible limit of Hg in fish and fishery products in India.