ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN PERIWINKLE (Tympanotonus fuscatus) FROM FIVE CREEKS OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Periwinkles are a delicacy in a variety of African and Asian dishes, they are common in cuisines of people from the Niger Delta. This study evaluates periwinkle samples (Tympanotonus fuscatus) collected from five different creeks in Rivers State for elemental contaminants. The total levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. All the metals except Cd and some of Ni were present in the samples. In descending order of predominance, the overall mean levels (PPM) of the metals in the periwinkles are: Buguma creek; Zn (1.523±0.95), Pb (0.196±0.53), Cr (0.033±0.016), mg/kg respectively while Ni and Cd were below detection limit. For Nembe waterside creek; Zn (1.453±0.106), Ni (0.038±0.007), Pb (0.545±0.111), Cr (0.395±0.038), mg/kg respectively while Cd was below detection limit. For Ikpukulu creek; Zn (0.870±0.145), Pb (0.174±0.038), Cr (0.005±0.002), mg/kg respectively while Ni and Cd were below detection limit. For Ido creek; Zn (1.560±0.079), Pb (0.2340±008), Cr (0.639±0.014), mg/kg respectively while Ni and Cd were below detection limit. For Bundu waterside creek; Zn (1.450±0.053), Ni (0.066±0.008), Pb (0.368±0.090), Cr (0.528±0.109), mg/kg respectively while Cd was below detection limit. 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.