Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation in Periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) and Tilapia Fish (Oreochromis niloticus) Samples Harvested from a Perturbed Tropical Creek in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Different scientific studies with useful contributions in biomonitoring different environmental parameters and knowledge of their influences on aquatic ecosystem health and ultimately that of man have evolved through the years, however with scanty toxicological evidences. The present study was designed to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in edible food of periwinkle and fish harvested from a perturbed creek in Niger Delta, Nigeria reported to constantly receive industrial effluent from two major oil and gas companies. Zn, Fe, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd and Mn were assessed for 6 months from July – November, 2018. Higher concentrations of heavy metals were obtained with fish bio-accumulating more metals than periwinkle. The bio-availability sequence of metals in periwinkle was Fe>Cu>Mn>Cd>Zn>Cr>Pb and fish Fe>Cu> Zn>Mn>Cd>Cr>Pb. Mean values of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn in some months in periwinkle and fish were above WHO/FEPA regulatory limits while Pb and Mn were lower. The study has provided some useful information on metal accumulation in the icthyofauna of the creek and call for more toxicological study and biomonitoring of anthropogenic sources on the creek. Results showed the dominance of Cd, Cr, Cu and Fe over other metals in both animals in all months. Cu level was relatively stable throughout the study. Fish bio-accumulated more metals than periwinkle with report of higher concentrations.