Acute Toxicity of Mercuric Chloride on Freshwater Crab Barytelphusa guerini

Heavy metals interfere with the metabolism of the organisms. The usage of mercury is widespread in industrial processes and in various products such as batteries, lamps and thermometers. The main pathway for mercury to humans is through the food chain, especially from aquatic route. Hence, in present investigation the freshwater crab, Barytelphusa guerini was exposed to acute toxicity of mercuric chloride for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The percentage mortality of crabs was observed for the given period and toxicity of mercuric chloride was evaluated. The LC₅₀ value was determined at 0.215 ppm of mercuric chloride.