Factors influencing accumulation of Zn, Cu, and Ca in the tissues of spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus, Rafinesque, 1817)

Both physicochemical and biological factors affect the degree of metal accumulation in crayfish tissues. The content of metals and correlations between the metal concentrations in different tissues and the total length of crayfish is suitable indicators of contamination of the aquatic environment. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of age and sex of crayfish on the degree of accumulation of Ca, Cu, and Zn in the muscle and exoskeleton. A total of 100 individuals of the spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus, Rafinesque, 1817) were caught from Głowińsk reservoir (Poland) in October 2019 using fyke nets. Metal concentrations were determined in freeze-dried samples of the abdominal muscle, exoskeleton, bottom sediment, and water using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Here, we show that the highest concentrations of Zn were found in the muscle of 4-year-old females, Cu in 3-year-old males, and Ca in 4-year-old males. Sex was a significant factor affecting the content of Ca in the muscle and Zn in the exoskeleton. Age was a significant factor affecting the content of Zn, Cu, and Ca in the muscle and Zn and Cu in the exoskeleton. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Zn and Cu in the muscle and exoskeleton of spiny-cheek crayfish was much higher from water than from sediments, unlike Ca. Furthermore, we found significant correlation for muscle between Zn and total length in 3-year-old females and 4-year-old males and between Cu and TL in 3-year-old males. Analysing the recommended daily intake (RDI) for the investigated minerals confirmed that the consumption of 100 g of spiny-cheek crayfish muscle could meet daily requirement for Zn up to 27.5%, for Ca in 12.4%, and over 100% for Cu. The conducted analyses confirmed that the consumption of crayfish meat was safe for the health of potential consumers in terms of the analysed metal content.