Bioaccumulation of total and methyl mercury by arthropods.

Three arthropods, Locusta migratoria manilensis, Acrida chinensis, and Paraten-odera sinensis were selected to study the bioaccumulation of total and methyl mercury. Concentrations of total mercury in the tissues of Locusta migratoria manilensis and Acrida chinensis were 0.013-0.154 and 0.009-0.138 mg/kg, respectively, while those of methylmercury were 0.001-0.012 and 0.001-0.006 mg/kg, respectively. Concentrations of total mercury in Locusta migratoria manilensis and Acrida chinensis, which are the primary consumers, are lower than those in their food, while mercury is accumulated more by the secondary consumer, Paraten-odera sinensis. For total mercury, the concentrations in Locusta migratoria manilensis are inversely proportional to body length and those in Acrida chinensis increase first and then decrease with increased body length. For methyl mercury, concentration is proportional to body length for both of these arthropods. Total mercury concentrations vary in different parts of the arthropod body, and increase in the order of: abdomen > thorax > head.