Complete Material Cost #3,000
Order for Complete Material now
ABSTRACT
The heavy metal content of crab samples from Okochiri coastline in Okirika Local Government Area and Kono coastline in Khana Local Government Area was evaluated in this study. Crab samples were collected randomly from the sampling stations in three replications. Samples were analyzed for Cr, Pb, Cu, and Fe using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Findings showed that heavy metal content of crabs at okochiri coastline were Cr (3.988mg/kg), Pb (4.50mg/kg), Cu (0.593mg/kg) and Fe (1.70mg/kg). while Kono coastline samples showed Cr (3.816mg/kg), Pb (4.94mg/kg), Cu (0.874mg/kg) and Fe (1.864mg/kg). Findings showed high level of Pb and Cr in crab samples from Okochiri and Kono coastlines which were higher than the permissible limit of WHO. The concentration of Cu and Fe from the two sampling stations were within the permissible limit of WHO. It is therefore recommended that the study areas be remediated to prevent the risk of heavy metal pollution in aquatic organisms and human health.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover page – – – – – – – – – i
Title page – – – – – – – – – – ii
Declaration – – – – – – – – – – iii
Certification – – – – – – – – – iv
Dedication – – – – – – – – – – v
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – vi
Abstract – – – – – – – – – – vii
Table of contents – – – – – – – – – viii
List of tables – – – – – – – – – xii
List of figures – – – – – – – – – xiii
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction – – – – – – – – – 1
1.1 Background of Study – – – – – – – 1
1.2 Statement of Problem – – – – – – – 4
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study – – – – – – 5
1.4 Significance of study – – – – – – – 6
1.5 Scope of Study – – – – – – – – 7
1.6 Definition of Term – – – – – – – – 7
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review – – – – – – – – 9
2.1 Description of Coastline – – – – – – 9
2.2 Heavy metals in the Environment – – – – 10
2.3 Crab (Potunis pelagicus)- – – – – – – 11
2.4 Scientific Classification of Crab – – – – 12
2.5 Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metal in Crab – – – 12
2.6 Biomagnification of Heavy Metals in Human – – 14
2.7 Potential risks of Heavy Metals in Coastline
Environment – – – – – – – – – 15
2.7.1. Lead – – – – – – – – – 15
2.7.2. Chromium – – – – – – – – 17
2.7.3. Arsenic – – – – – – – – – 18
2.7.4. Zinc – – – – – – – – – 19
2.7.5. Cadmium – – – – – – – – 20
2.7.6. Copper – – – – – – – – – 21
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Materials and Methods – – – – – – 22
3.1 Research Design – – – – – – – 22
3.2 Sample Collection – – – – – – – 22
3.3 Preparation of Samples – – – – – – 22
3.4 Digestion of Sample – – – – – – – 23
3.5 Heavy Analysis – – – – – – – – 23
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Results – – – – – – – – 24
CHAPTER FIVE
Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations – – 28
5.1 Discussion – – – – – – – – – 28
5.1.1 Heavy Metals Properties of Crab in Okochiri and
Kono Coastline – – – – – – – – 28
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – – 31
5.3 Recommendation – – – – – – – 32
References – – – – – – – – – – 33
Appendices – – – – – – – – – 35
LIST OF TABLE PAGE
4:1: Heavy metals distribution in crab from Okochiri coastline in Okirika Local Government Area and Kono coastline in Khana Local Government Area and WHO Standard – – – – – – – – 26
LIST OF FIGURES PAGE
4.1: Bar chart showing the mean distribution of heavy metals in crab from Okochiri and Kono coastline – – – – – – – – 27
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Coastline areas are sites of discharge and accumulation of a range of environmental contaminant. These pollutants include plastic debris, oil sediment, trace element, polyethylene etc. There are many causes of coastline pollution; these include industrial activities, agricultural activities, domestic waste disposal, accidental oil spills and acid rain.
Coastline soil may become polluted by the accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids through disposal of high metal wastes, application of fertilizers, animal manures, sewage sludge, pesticides, waste water irrigation and spillage of petrochemicals. Domestic sewage and industrial effluents in untreated or partially treated form released into water add mixtures of pollutants which include certain toxic heavy metals and metalloids into coastline soil (Wuana and Okieimen, 2011).
Heavy metals are classified as metallic elements which have relatively high atomic weight and are toxic at high concentrations.
These metals are naturally found in the environment but can also be produced by anthropogenic activities to levels high enough to cause disruptions among aquatic species (Bulu and Igiusi, 2013).
The presence of heavy metals in the coastline area beyond acceptable limits as well as the exposure to high amount can give rise to serious human, animals and plant problems (Caylak and Tokar, 2012). The knowledge of heavy metals accumulation in coastline area, the origin of these metals and their possible interactions with soil and aquatic organisms is necessary in understanding their bioavailability and remedial options to be taken.
Crab are decapods crustaceans. In polluted coastal areas, crab are potential bio-indicators and bio-accumulators of pollutants and are directly or indirectly related to human health issues, as they are consumed in different regions. Crab absorb and accumulate many different heavy metals released into the coastal or marine environment by industrial, agricultural, domestic and transportation activities (Davis and Lambert, 2006).
The ingestion of heavy metals by crabs via food and water may affect not only the productivity and reproductive capabilities of crab, but ultimately affect the health of man that depends on these organisms as a major source of protein (Fonge et al., 2011).
Crabs are the most common aquatic organism found in the study area and it is one of the cheaply and easily available food for poor coastal communities. Analysis of metal contents of various tissues of crab is of particular concern due to their toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain.
This study was designed to evaluate heavy metal status of crab in Okochiri coastlines of Okirika Local Government Area and Kono coastline in Khana Local Government Area respectively.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The increasing trend in concentration of heavy metals in coastline environment has created considerable attention among researchers globally.
Human activities such as dumping of wastes into sea, river or stream contribute to coastal pollution, which result in the damage of marine habitat and cause health problem to people with in the vicinity. Contaminated marine organisms transmit toxic elements or disease to people who consumed them. This study is designed to evaluate the heavy metals status in crab from kono and Okochiri coastlines in Okirika, khana Local Government Areas respectively, and to compared data with consumable standard, with a view to determine their suitability for human consumption.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
AIM:
This research work is designed to evaluate the heavy metals status in crab at Okochiri coastline in Okirika Local Government Area and Kono coastline in Khana Local Government Area.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
The objectives of this study are:
1) To collect crab samples along the coastlines of Okochiri and Kono in Okirika and Khana Local Government Area respectively.
2) To analyze for Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations in the sample.
3) To compare the concentration of heavy metals from the crab samples World Health Organization (WHO) standard.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Considering the multiple effect of heavy metals on marine life and health related problems on man, scientific study is needed to ascertain the status of heavy metals in on sea food such as crab along coastline environment and their effects on consumers.
This research work will be vital for researcher’s development and to increase awareness of the effects of heavy metals on human and aquatic habitat. The study will also inform the authorities in environmental management on the level of heavy metals pollution in the two study site.
Data from this study will serve as a baseline for further research in heavy metal analysis.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research will center on the comparative study of heavy metals in crab from Okochiri and Kono coastline of Okirika and Khana Local Government Area respectively to ascertain the status of heavy metals in crab from the two studied station and to compare the results to the World Health Organization standard (WHO).
1.6 DEFINITION OF KEY WORDS:
COASTLINE: It is the boundary between the land and the ocean or lake.
SOIL: It is the top layer of earth’s surface in which plants can grow, consisting of rock and mineral particles mixed with decayed organic matter and having the capability of retaining water.
POLLUTANT: This is a substances or energy introduced into the environment that has undesired effect. A pollutant may cause long or short term damage by changing the growth rate of plant or animal species.
POLLUTION: This is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that causes adverse change. The word pollution comes from the verb pollute, which means to make impure.
HEAVY METALS: These are naturally occurring elements that have a high atomic weight and a density at least five times bigger than that of water.
BIOMAGNIFICATION: This is the increasing concentration of a substance such as toxic chemical in the tissue of organisms at successively higher levels in food chain.
ACCUMULATION: This refers to gathering of the total amount of elements that has been collected.
Complete Material Cost #3,000