Author(s)

Albert Achudume, Samson Odoh, Funso Adeniyi

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Heavy metals disposed through anthropogenic activities find their way into aquatic environment through factory effluents. These heavy metals resuspend back into the water column along with the sediments and are known to affect aquatic bioresources. Effluent water samples and crabs were collected along top camp stream to evaluate heavy metal concentrations and were assessed to determine the uptake of heavy metals in crabs. Results show fluctuation in acidity/alkalinity of water samples. BOD, COD, DO, conductivity and organic phosphorous were below permissible limit, and metal concentrations (As, Cu, Cr and Zn) in water samples do not constitute a risk factor for human health. However, concentrations of Cupper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Asenate (As) and Manganese (Mn) in crabs were significantly higher than the level found in the effluent water. Heavy metal poisoning has been identified among people that depend on crabs for their protein. Such effects are viewed by international health organization as attenuation of human health. The toxic elements (As, Cu, Fe and Mn) in the effluent and dissolved solid concentrations including potassium and calcium carbonate may be reduced through resource recovery.

Heavy Metals, Aquatic Environment, Anthropogenic Activity, Aquatic Bioresource

A. Achudume, S. Odoh and F. Adeniyi, "Assessment of Effluents from Associated Match Industries with Emphasis on Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Crab," Journal of Water Resource and Protection, Vol. 2 No. 8, 2010, pp. 751-755. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2010.28087.