ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN PERIWINKLE FROM RIVERS STATE

Periwinkles forms part of the daily staple food. This study evaluates periwinkle samples (Tympanotonus fuscatus) collected from two distinct water bodies, namely Bodo and Creek Road water-sides, in River State to examine and assess the level of contamination. After analyzing the data from the field study. The total levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and Polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result from the bioaccumulation factor shows that Pb, Cd and Cu were hyperaccumulated, Ni was tolerant in Tympanotonus fuscatus from Bodo water front while Cr and Ni were hyperaccumulated, Cd, Pb and Cu were tolerant in Tympanotonus fuscatus from Creek Road water body respectively. The BAF of trace elements in the periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) was in the order: Pb>Cd>Cu>PAH>Ni>Cr at Bodo water body, and Cr>Ni>Cd>Pb>Cu>PAH at Creek Road water body. The analysis report suggests that activities in the area have contributed to high levels of these contaminants and consumption of periwinkle with heavy metal concentration above the permissible limits may be considered unsafe and will cause harm to human life.