The presence of inorganic and organic mercury and selenium in Nephrops norvegicus from the Ligurian Sea.

Samples of Nephrops norvegicus from the Ligurian Sea were analysed for contents of organic mercury, total mercury and selenium. Results for 37 specimens are reported. Total mercury concentrations increase with size of the specimens. Percentage of organic mercury ranges from 31 to 88% with an average of 58%. Selenium does not correlate with size and the average content is 0.88 micrograms g-1 fresh weight (range 0.30-1.74 micrograms g-1 fresh weight).