Toxicological Evaluation of Selected Seafoods and Water from Akpajo, Rivers State

Abstract

This study evaluated the toxicological indices of heavy metals in selected seafoods and water from Ogugu River in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. Seafoods (Tilapia guineensis (Tilapia Fish),Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab) and Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish)), and water samples were obtained from Ogugu River. They were taken to the laboratory under aseptic conditions and were analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg) contents with the aid of an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results obtained shows; Pb ranging from 0.235±0.001(in Water) to 5.172±0.012 (in Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish)), Cd 0.044±0.03 (in water) to 0.464±0.058 (in Matacostraca decapoda), Ni 0.179±0.193 (in water) to 2.212±0.065 ( in Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish)), while As and Hg were shown to be below detectable limits. The Health risk evaluation was done using Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and TLCR. These indices revealed that adult and children population exposed to these samples could be highly at risk as obtained values  where above the probable USEPA risk free limit (10^-6 to 10^-4 ). The Pb THQ was in the order Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish) > Tilapia guineensis, (Tilapia Fish)  > Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab) > Water, with Cd Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish) > Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab) > water > Tilapia guineensis, (Tilapia Fish), while Ni is in the order Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish) > Tilapia guineensis, (Tilapia Fish) > water > Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab). The obtained HI is in the order Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish) > Tilapia guineensis, (Tilapia Fish) > Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab) > Water, The TLCR values was shown in the order Matacostraca decapoda (cray fish) > Tilapia guineensis, (Tilapia Fish > Callinectes sapidus (Blue crab) >Water. Results from this study hence arouses public health concerns and apt policies are needed to curtail further accumulation of these heavy metal in the samples.

Keywords: Tilapia guineensis, Callinectes sapidus, Matacostraca decapoda, Heavy metals, Risk Assessment, Fish Toxicity, Water Safety

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/14-1-05

Publication date: February 28^th 2024