Bioaccumulation in freshwater crabs. Endosulfan accumulation in different tissues of Zilchiopsis collastinensis P. (Decapoda: Trichodactylidae).

We examined the bioaccumulation of α- and ß-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in tissues from the crab Zilchiopsis collastinensis. There was more endosulfan accumulated in the hepatopancreas (from <2 to 467.8 ng g(-1)) than in the gonads (from <2 to 52.1 ng g(-1)) or muscles (<2 ng g(-1)). The endosulfan concentrations in the hepatopancreas decreased over time and with the endosulfan dilution (p < 0.05). In the gonads there was little bioaccumulation, which did not vary over time (p > 0.05). The hepatopancreas is a dynamic organ that is able to depurate itself, whereas the gonads act as a sink for pesticides.