Abstract: The 1999-2004 quality monitoring data of seawater-cultured shellfish in 16 bays along Fujian coastal areas showed that in 152 samples of 15 kinds of shellfish, the total mercury content ranged from 0.002-0.035 mg·kg^-1. Comparing with the recent 20 years quality monitoring data of marine organisms in Fujian, the total mercury content in the shellfish was relatively low, being accorded with the China national standard of aquatic products for hygienic and safe evaluation, and the MRLS of mercury content in fish and shellfish ordered by the European Community and WHO. With the mercury intake from shellfish being 100 g per person per day as the base of estimation, the intake of mercury and methyl mercury from shellfish by the inhabitants along Fujian coastal areas was lower than the PTWI value recommended by WHO and the RfD value of methyl mercury regulated by US EPA, indicating that the health risk arising from the exposure to methyl mercury due to the consumption of aquatic products was very small.

Key words: Cadmium, Paralichthys olivaceus, Accumulation, Elimination, Total organic carbon