Selected heavy metal concentration in the soft tissues of the Periwinkle Tympanotonusfuscatus was investigated in Elechi Creek, Niger Delta. This was done to ascertain the implication of dredging activities going on in the creek on heavy metals in soft tissues of the periwinkle and the possible consequences on human health. Fresh samples of the periwinkle were hand-picked at low tide from threesampling points (I, II and III) located at 04041’17.5”N and 006055’39.8”E, 04041’23.6”N and 006055’54.1”E and 04041’29.5”N and 006056’10.4”E respectively on the Creek. They were transported to the laboratory, washed, digested and analysed for heavy metals using the Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Microsoft Excel® tool pack. Regression analysis was employed in order to determine the correlation between the different heavy metals in periwinkle tissues. Analysis of variance was employed at the 95% confidence level to determine the degree of significance in interactions in heavy metals between stations. Result from the study reveal thatthe concentration of the heavy metals followed the trend Iron (Fe)> Lead (Pb)> Copper (Cu) > Cadmium (Cd). No significant difference between stations in Pb and Cd concentration but there is a significant difference in Cu concentration between stations I and station II and between stations II and III. There were significant differences between all study stations in Fe concentration. All the metal concentrations in soft tissues were below the internationally safety limit. Biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) in Elechi Creek was low and below limit This may imply that although dredging may interfere with the habitat of periwinkle resulting in reduced harvest, it has no marked contribution on metal concentration in soft tissues in periwinkle and therefore no additional threat to human safety.
User
Font Size
Information