Abstract

This study has investigated the concentrations of Cu, Zn and Fe in P. aurita and T. fuscatus obtained from Bayelsa State, Nigeria and assessed the health risks associated with the consumption of these shellfishes. The concentrations of the metals in mg/kg dry wt basis mean + SD were Cu (57.0 + 4.0) Zn (63.8 + 9.6) and Fe (1260 + 159.2) in P. aurita, while T. fuscatus were, Cu (33.3 + 1.43), Zn (77.7 + 9.19) and Fe (1985 + 4.89). These values were higher than the guideline of WHO, and FEPA. The estimated daily intake of the metals in the periwinkles was all higher than their provisional tolerable daily and weekly intakes set by regulatory bodies. The non-carcinogenic risks (THQ and HI) of the individual and combined risk of the metals were within the limit of 1 set by USEPA, indicating no health risk at the moment. However, considering the bioaccumulative nature of heavy metals moderate intake of these periwinkles are recommended to avoid human health risk to consumers in future. Key words : Heavy metal, Pollution, Risk Assessment, Perewinkles.

Highlights

  • Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem over the years has been recognized as a serious environmental concern (Balkase et al, 1982)

  • Fuscatus from Bayelsa State, Niger-Delta Area, Nigeria and assessed the health risk associated with consumption of these organisms by human

  • Where; MI is the mass of the periwinkles ingested, the per capital consumption of fish and shellfish in Nigeria for human food is averaged 9.0 kg (WHO, 2011) which is equivalent to 24.7 g per day, MC is the metal concentration and BW is the body weight of the consumers (60 kg for adult)

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Summary

Introduction

Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem over the years has been recognized as a serious environmental concern (Balkase et al, 1982). Fuscatus (commonly known as periwinkles) from Bayelsa State, Niger-Delta Area, Nigeria and assessed the health risk associated with consumption of these organisms by human.

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