Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in water, sediment and periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus var radula) from the Elechi Creek, Niger Delta

Abstract

The accumulation of three heavy metals; chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus var radula; shell and soft tissues), water and sediment collected from four stations along Elechi Creek course was studied. Elechi Creek receives effluents discharges from heavily industrialized and highly populated settlements. The water, sediment and periwinkles were processed and analyzed for heavy metals and the results showed that the sediment concentrated more heavy metals than the water while the periwinkles accumulated more of these metals than the sediment. Cr was the highest concentrated heavy metals in both the normal and depurated periwinkles. The biological concentration factor (BCF) revealed that these periwinkles have high potential to concentrate heavy metals in their shells and soft tissues, and it is directly proportionate to their sizes. However, the observed heavy metals concentrations in these animals are below the recommended limits for human consumption. This study therefore advocates environmental surveillance of this creek in order to achieve good sediment quality and contaminant-free periwinkles for safe human health