Heavy Metals Concentrations in the Shell and Tissue of Periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) and Giant Land Snail (Achatina fulica) in Soku Community of Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Nwoko C.I.A,Ukiwe L.N

doi:10.24297/jac.v10i3.6636

Abstract

The pollution of aquatic ecosystem by heavy metals has assumed serious proportions due to their toxicity and accumulative behaviour. River dams are especially at risk of contamination by different contaminants from anthropogenic sources including heavy metals since change of sediment regime often occur. The accumulation of five heavy metals; chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu) and Arsenic (As) in periwinkle, (Tympanotonus fuscatus, var, radula) and giant land snail (Achatina fulica) shell and soft tissue collected from Soku Community, Akuku-toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. The periwinkle and giant land snail were processed and analyzed for heavy metals presence. Results obtained showed that the periwinkles accumulated more of these heavy metals than the snails. Copper and arsenic were the highest concentrated heavy metals in the periwinkle shell soft tissue. The concentration of copper and arsenic in periwinkles soft tissue was found to be l,612 mg/kg and 2.40 mg/kg respectively. In the giant land snail the soft tissue concentrated more of copper (277 mg/kg). These values exceeded set standards for guidelines on toxicity.

Highlights

Heavy metals (HMs) are intrinsic, natural constituents of our environment
While the levels of Cu, Mn, and Zn did not differ significantly between the Upper and Lower Gulf regions, comparison with earlier studies revealed that the concentrations of some HMs in the mussels collected from the Lower and Upper Gulf regions were within acceptable limits for human consumption [7]
Other studies on HMs presence in mangrove periwinkle include that of Davies et al [10], who studied bioaccumulation of HM in water, and periwinkle, Dewolf et al [11], who investigated the accumulation of HM in periwinkle

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Heavy metals (HMs) are intrinsic, natural constituents of our environment. They are generally present in small amounts in aquatic environments. There is considerable concern about the human health aspects of metal cycling in polluted coastal and inland waters that are in proximity to large population centers Several factors such as size, nature of the environment, seasonal variation and variability in species have been identified as important independent variables influencing metal levels in marine organisms [1]. It was revealed that levels of Cd, Pb, and Cu were considerably high in seston sediments in winter periods and in areas of high industrial activities These reported levels of the three HMs were high in samples of fish flesh analyzed. While the levels of Cu, Mn, and Zn did not differ significantly between the Upper and Lower Gulf regions, comparison with earlier studies revealed that the concentrations of some HMs in the mussels collected from the Lower and Upper Gulf regions were within acceptable limits for human consumption [7]

Study area

Sampling and sample preparation

Results and Discussion

CONCLUSION