Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Heavy Metal Contamination in Fish (Callinectis amnicola) From an Estuarine Creek in the Niger Delta, Nigeria and Health Risk Evaluation

  • Published:
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Heavy metal bioconcentration in crabs from an estuarine creek in the Niger Delta was examined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Health risk via human exposure to metal toxicity was evaluated. Mean metal levels (µg/g) were Cr 2.32 ± 0.71, Ni 2.76 ± 0.48, Cu 12.94 ± 3.53, Pb 5.67 ± 1.03, Ag 1.83 ± 0.71 and Cd 0.73 ± 0.14 with significant difference (p < 0.001) between periods. Ni, Pb and Cd had values above FAO/WHO recommended limits. Estimated daily intake values were below the reference oral doses and the target hazard quotient was <1 for each metal examined while hazard index for all metals was also <1. The target carcinogenic risk value for Ni was 3.4 × 10−3. Based on the evaluations, the study concluded that consumers of crabs from the study area had minimal/moderate metal toxicity exposures of no significant health concern but recommended continuous monitoring to detect anomalies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdou HM, Hassan MA (2014) Protective role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid against lead acetate-induced toxicity in liver and kidney of female rats. BioMed Res. doi:10.1155/2014/435857

    Google Scholar 

  • Abubakar A, Uzairu A, Ekwumemgbo PA, Okunola OJ (2015) Risk assessment of heavy metals in imported frozen fish Scomber scombrus species sold in Nigeria: a case study in Zaria Metropolis. Adv Toxicol. doi:10.1155/2015/303245

    Google Scholar 

  • Adebayo-Tayo BC, Okpo MA (2010) Microbiological, proximate and heavy metal concentration in Penaeus sp. (shrimp) and Calllinectes sp. (crab) from creeks in Niger delta Nigeria. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev 10(8):3047–3064

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Akoto O, Bismark EF, Darko G, Adei E (2014) Concentrations and health risk assessments of heavy metals in fish from the Fosu Lagoon. Int J Environ Res 8(2):403–410

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali M, Hau VTB (2001) Vegetables in Bangladesh economic and nutritional impact of new varieties and technologies. Asian Vegetable Research and Development Centre, Technical Bulletin No. 25, AVRDC, Shanhua

    Google Scholar 

  • American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM (1986) Annual book of ASTM standards, 11.01, D3559-85, Philadelphia PA 19103

  • Bastami AA, Khoei JK, Esmailian M (2012) Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in sediment and crab, Portunus pelagicus from Persian Gulf, Iran. Middle-East J Sci Res 12(6):886–892

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chien LC, Hung L, Choang KY, Yeh CY, Meng PJ, Shieh MJ, Han BC (2002) Daily intake of TBT, Cu, Zn, Cd and As for fisherman in Taiwan. The Sci Total Environ 285:177–185

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daka ER, Moslen M, Ekeh CA, Ekweozor IKE (2007) Sediment quality status of two creeks in the upper Bonny estuary, Niger Delta, in relation to urban/industrial activities. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 78:151–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daka ER, Ekeh CA, Moslen M (2008) Cadmium and lead level in some fish species from Azuabie creek in the Bonny Estuary, Nigeria. Afr J Biotech 7:63–64

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dublin-Green WF, Nwankwo JN, Irechukwu DO (1994) Effective regulation and management of HSE issues in the petroleum industry in Nigeria. In: SPE international conference on health safety and environment in oil and gas exploration and production, Caracas, 7–10 June 1998, paper No. SPE 40/26

  • Falusi BA, Olanipekun EO (2007) Bioconcentration factors of heavy metals in tropical crab (carcinus sp) from River Aponwe, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. J Appl Sci Environ Manag 11(4):51–54

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO (2003) Heavy Metals Regulations: Part 1. Legal Notice no. 66. http://www.faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/eri42405.pdf. Accessed 21 Apr 2012

  • FAO, WHO (1983) Compilation of legal limits for hazardous substances in fish and fishery products. Fish Circ 464:5–100

    Google Scholar 

  • FAO/WHO (1989). Evaluation of certain food additives and the contaminants mercury, lead and cadmium; WHO Technical Report Series No. 505

  • Guerra K, Konz J, Lisi K, Neebrem C (2010) Exposure factors handbook. USEPA, Washington D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han BC, Jeng WL, Chen RY, Fang GT, Hung TC, Tseng RJ (1998) Estimation of Target Hazard Quotients and Potential Health Risks for Metals by Consumption of Seafood in Taiwan. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 35:711–720

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho ST, Tsai LJ, Yu KC (2003) Correlations among aqua-regia extractable heavy metals in vertical river sediments, vol 1. In: Diffuse pollution conference, Dublin, p 12

  • Ikem A, Egiebor NO, Nyavor K (2003) Trace elements in water, fish and sediment from Tuskegee Lake, Southeastern USA. Water Air Soil Pollut 149:51–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Islam S, Ahmed MK, Al-Mamun MH, Islam KN, Ibrahim M,. Masunaga S (2014) Arsenic and lead in foods: a potential threat to human health in Bangladesh. Food Addit Contam Part A. doi:10.1080/19440049974686

    Google Scholar 

  • Javed M, Usmani N (2016) Accumulation of heavy metals and human health risk assessment via the consumption of freshwater fish Mastacembelus armatus inhabiting, thermal power plant effluent loaded canal. SpringerPlus 5:776. doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2471-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jovic M, Stankovic S (2014) Human exposure to trace metals and possible public health risks via consumption of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Adriatic coastal area. Food Chem Toxicol 70:241–251

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krishna PV, Rao KM, Swaruparan IV,. Rao DS (2014) Heavy metals concentration in fish Mugil cephalus from machilipatnam coast and possible health risks to fish consumers. Br Biotechnol J 4(2):126–135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magliette RJ, Doherty FG, Mackinney DV, Venkataramani L (1995) Need for environment quality guidelines based on ambient freshwater quality criteria in natural water case study zinc. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 54:532–626

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malakootian M, Mortazavi MS, Ahmadi A (2016) Heavy metals bioaccumulation in fish of southern Iran and risk assessment of fish consumption. Environ Health Eng Manag J 3(2):61–68

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moslen M, Daka ER (2016) Spatio-temporal differences of physico-chemical variables in relation to industrial effluent discharges into Ekerekana and Okochiri creeks, Bonny estuary of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. J Nigeria Environ Society 10(2):152–167

  • Moslen M, Miebaka CA (2016) Temporal Variation of Heavy Metal Concentrations in sp obtained from Azuabie Creek in the Upper Bonny Estuary, Nigeria. Curr Stud Comp Educ Sci Technol 3(2):136–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Nkpaa KW, Onyeso GI, Achugasim O (2017) Heavy metals levels in shellfish from Bodo City and B-Dere, Ogoniland, Rivers State, Nigeria, and evaluation of possible health risks to consumers. Sustain Water Resour Manag. doi:10.1007/s40899-017-0096-5

    Google Scholar 

  • NYSDOH (New York State Department of Health) (2007) Hopewell precision area contamination: appendix C-NYS DOH. Procedure for evaluating potential health risks for contaminants of concern, 2007. http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/investigations/ hopewell/ appendc.htm. Accessed Nov 2007

  • Olowu RA, Ayejuyo OO, Adejoroi A, Adewuyi GO, Osundiya MO, Onwordi CT, Yusuf KA, Owolabi MS (2010) Determination of heavy metals in Crab and Prawn in Ojo Rivers Lagos, Nigeria. E-J Chem 7(2):526–530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pastor A, Medina J, Del Ramo J, Torreblanca A, Diaz-Mayans J, Hernandez F (1988) Determination in different tissues. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 41:412–418

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rainbow PS, White SL (1989) Comparative strategies of heavy metal accumulation by crustaceans: zinc, copper and cadmium in a decapod, an amphipod and a barnacle. Hydrobiologia 174:245–262

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sayyad NR, Khan AK, Ansari NT, Seema H, Shaikh MAJ (2007) Heavy metal concentrations in different body part of crab, Barytelphusa Guerini from Godavari River. J Ind Pollut Control 23(2):363–368

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stoyanova S, Sirakov I, Velichkova K, Staykov Y (2015) Chemical composition and content of heavy metals in the flesh of the different marine fish species. J BioSci Biotechnol SE/ONLINE:297–301

  • Taweel A, Shuhaimi-Othman M, Ahmad AK (2013) Assessment of heavy metals in tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from the Langat River and Engineering Lake in Bangi, Malaysia, and evaluation of the health risk from tilapia consumption. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 93:45–51

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (2009) United States Environmental Protection Agency, Risk-based concentration table. Philadelphia: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

  • USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2011) USEPA Regional Screening Level (RSL) Summary Table: November 2011. http://www.epa.gov/regshwmd/risk/human/Index.htm. Accessed 20 Jan 2014

  • USFDA (1993) Food and drug administration, Guidance document for nickel in shell fish. DHHS/PHS/FDA/CFSAN/office of seafood, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Sato T, Xing B, Tao S (2005) Health risk of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish. Sci Total Environ 350:28–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2005) Background document for development of WHO guidelines for nickel in drinking-water quality and fish. Tech. Rep. WHO/Sde/Wsh/05.08/55

Download references

Acknowledgements

We wish to appreciate Mr Choko for map production for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied and Environmental Biology, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    M. Moslen & C. A. Miebaka

  2. Institute of Pollution Studies, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    M. Moslen & C. A. Miebaka

Authors
  1. M. Moslen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. A. Miebaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Moslen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Moslen, M., Miebaka, C.A. Heavy Metal Contamination in Fish (Callinectis amnicola) From an Estuarine Creek in the Niger Delta, Nigeria and Health Risk Evaluation. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 99, 506–510 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2169-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2169-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation