Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development
Open Access

Abstract

The coastal water along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline has been heavily impacted by a number of chemical pollutants originating from different sources including heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides. This investigation assessed and monitored accumulation levels of (Cr, Cd, Pd, Cu, Zn, and Ni) in different organs (gill, head, bone, muscle and eye) of five fish species (Pentanemus quinquarius, Pseudoltolithus senegalensis, Trichirus lepturus, Plectorhinchus mediterraneus, Pseudotolithus typus and soft tissue of shellfish (periwinkle) Littorina litorea, together with water and sediment collected from the Atlantic Oceanshore line in coastal waters of Ondo State, Nigeria. Toxic metal concentrations in fish tissues, periwinkle water and sediment samples were analysed after treatment using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Dissolve total metal in water (in mg/l) Zn 0.12-0.22 , Cu 0.26-0.27 and Ni BDL-0.01 recorded in the water samples in this study were low and within the maximum permissible level (MPL) recommended by WHO and USEPA, while higher concentrations above the MPL were recorded for Cr 0.31-0.34Cd 0.08 -0.21and Pb 0.57-0.79. The concentrations of these metals in sediment in (mg/kg) were all lower than their probable effect concentrations (PEC) in sediment. High concentrations of the metals were found in gills and eye compared to other tissues. While the concentration of Zn (0.34 mg/kg-1.29 mg/kg), Cu (BDL-1.88 mg/kg), Ni (BDL- 0.01 mg/kg), and Cr (BDL-1.28) in the fish tissues were within the maximum allowable level (MAL) for a food source, the concentration of toxic metals found in soft tissue of periwinkles exceeded the maximum allowable limit for food source except for Cu and Zn. The findings of this study shows higher value above the allowable limit for Cd (BDL-1.14 mg/kg) and Pd (BDL- 0.71 mg/kg), thus constituting potential health hazard to consumers of these seafood species.

Biography

Johnson Olayinka Olusola completed his BSc in Chemistry and MSc in Industrial/Environmental chemistry from Federal University of Technology, Akure Ondo State, Nigeria. Presently he is pursuing his PhD in Toxic/Environmental chemistry. He is interested mainly in environmental studies. His goal is to help promote research on the dangers and the impact of various chemical and other environmental contaminant/pollutant in the food chain especially in aquatic environment. He has two research articles to his credits which have been published in international journals.