Mercury and osmoregulation in the euryhaline crab, Eriocheir sinensis

This review will focus on cases where it might be possible that the toxicity of the heavy metal mercury results from an interaction with osmoregulatory mechanisms. It is shown that mercury-induced impairment of osmoregulatory capability in the sense of severe modifications of the blood osmotic concentration is more pronounced in brachyuran decapod species adapted to dilute waters. The rationale for considering these effects is based on a …