Hazard Identification and Potential Risk Analysis of Toxic Metals in Redbelly Tilapia (Coptodon zillii) Consumed and Surface Water from the Niger Delta Estuary

Year 2024, , 16 - 29, 30.03.2024

Ibienebo Chris Davies , Evelyn Amaewhule , Dumbari Nkeeh

https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1375341

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have caused toxic metals to escalate, polluting rivers, and accumulating in water, sediments, and fish. This harms aquatic ecosystems and has enduring impacts on humans and aquatic life. The study aimed to assess the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cd, and Zn) in Redbelly tilapia (Coptodon zillii) and water obtained from three sampling stations along Atuka Creek which is a crude oil-contaminated site in a southern creek in Nigeria. The investigation further intends to evaluate potential health risks linked to the consumption of C. zillii and to analyze the pollution and productivity levels of the corresponding aquatic ecosystem. The results show significant variations in heavy metal concentrations across stations, with Station 1 exhibiting the highest contamination levels attributed to its proximity to pollution sources. The fish from Station 1 revealed elevated levels of contamination, surpassing recommended limits for Pb, Fe, Ni, and Zn. Calculations of chronic daily intake (CDI) values indicate potential health risks for both adults and children, particularly in Stations 1 and 2. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values surpassed safe limits in these stations, suggesting non-carcinogenic health risks linked to fish consumption and swimming. Moreover, lifetime cancer risk (ILCR and TLCR) assessments revealed an augmented risk of cancer, especially in Stations 1 and 2. These findings emphasize the need for stern pollution control measures, regulations, and remediation strategies to mitigate heavy metal contamination, ensure water quality, and safeguard public health in southern Nigerian communities.

Keywords

Heavy Metal Contamination, Redbelly Tilapia, Water Quality, Health Risks, Niger Delta Estuary

Project Number

None

References

• Aa, I., Op, A., Ujj, I., Mt, B. (2022). A critical review of oil spills in the Niger Delta aquatic environment: causes, impacts, and bioremediation assessment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194(11), 816.
• Abarshi, M.M., Dantala, E.O., Mada, S.B. (2017). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some tissues of croaker fish from oil spilt rivers of Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 7(6), 563-568.
• Abdel-Kader, H.H., Mourad, M.H. (2022). Carcinogenic and Human Risk Assessments, Trace Element Concentrations, Proximate Composition, and Liver Antioxidants of Three Commercial Tilapia Fish Species from Manzalah Wetland, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 26(4), 1-24.
• Akankali, J.A., Davies, I.C., Blessing, D.I. (2022). Assessment of Sawmill and other Associated Wastes on the Water Quality of Ilo-abuchi Creek, Rivers State, Niger Delta. Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research. 17(4): 1-13.
• Akankali, JA., Davies, I.C. (2021). Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Parameters Evaluation in the Upper Reaches of Bonny River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 25(8), 1341-1348.
• Akankali, J.A., Davies, I.C., Ibiso, O.A. (2020). Impact of Sand Dredging on The Water Quality And Zooplankton Community of Isaka Creek, Bonny River, Niger Delta. Journals of Wetland and Waste Management, 4(1):23-35. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v24i10.6
• Akpotor, E. (2019). Crude oil exploration and exploitation in Niger Delta: A Christian Concern. International Journal of Innovative Development and Policy Studies, 7(2), 38-49.
• Alengebawy, A., Abdelkhalek, S. T., Qureshi, S. R., Wang, M. Q. (2021). Heavy metals and pesticides toxicity in agricultural soil and plants: Ecological risks and human health implications. Toxics, 9(3), 42.
• Ali, H., Khan, E., Ilahi, I. (2019). Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals: environmental persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation. Journal of chemistry, 2019.
• Amadi, A. N., Udoh, B. O., Ozoji, T. M., Akande, W. G., Shaibu, I., Dan-Hassan, M. A., Oguntade, A. S. (2020). Quality Assessment of Groundwater in Parts of Niger Delta, Southern Nigeria using Metal Pollution Index and Factor Analysis. The Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 21(1): 280-289.
• Amanullah, Khalid, S., Imran, Khan, H. A., Arif, M., Altawaha, A. R., Parmar, B. (2020). Effects of climate change on irrigation water quality. Environment, climate, plant and vegetation growth, 123-132.
• Anyanwu, B.O., Chris, D.I. (2023). Human health hazard implications of heavy metals concentration in swimming crab (Callinectes amnicola) from polluted creeks in Rivers State, Nigeria. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 7, 100325.
• Anyanwu, E. D., Adetunji, O. G., Etusim, P. E., Umeham, S. N. (2023). Human Health Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Eme River, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. Journal of Bioresource Management, 10(3), 5.
• Atangana, E., Oberholster, P.J. (2021). Using heavy metal pollution indices to assess water quality of surface and groundwater on catchment levels in South Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 182, 104254.
• Bashir, I., Lone, F. A., Bhat, R. A., Mir, S. A., Dar, Z. A., Dar, S. A. (2020). Concerns and threats of contamination on aquatic ecosystems. Bioremediation and biotechnology: sustainable approaches to pollution degradation, 1-26.
• Biswas, C., Soma, S.S., Rohani, M.F., Rahman, M.H., Bashar, A., Hossain, M. S. (2021). Assessment of heavy metals in farmed shrimp, Penaeus monodon sampled from Khulna, Bangladesh: An inimical to food safety aspects. Heliyon, 7(3).
• Bonsignore, M., Manta, D.S., Mirto, S., Quinci, E.M., Ape, F., Montalto, V., Sprovieri, M. (2018). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish, crustaceans, molluscs and echinoderms from the Tuscany coast. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 162, 554-562.
• Brilliance, O.A. Davies, I.C. (2023). Human health hazard implications of heavy metals concentration in swimming crab (Callinectes amnicola) from polluted creeks in Rivers State, Nigeria. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 7: 100325, 666-0164.
• Chen, N., Hong, H., Gao, X. (2021). Securing drinking water resources for a coastal city under global change: Scientific and institutional perspectives. Ocean & Coastal Management, 207, 104427.
• Chijioke, B., Ebong, I.B., Ufomba, H. (2018). The Impact of oil exploration and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: a study of oil producing communities in Akwa Ibom state. Global journal of human social science, 18(3), 54-70.
• Chinedu, E., Chukwuemeka, C.K. (2018). Oil spillage and heavy metals toxicity risk in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Journal of Health and Pollution, 8(19), 180905.
• Chris, D.I., Anyanwu, E.D. (2023). Biological Assessment of Anthropogenic Impacts in Buguma Creek, Rivers State, Nigeria. Omni-Akuatika, 19(1), 47-60.
• Chris, D. I., Ogehenetekevwe, E. (2023). Impact of Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Effluents on Interstitial Water at a Mangrove Wetland, Asari-Toru Axis of Sombreiro River, Rivers State. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 10(2), 12-23.
• Chris, D.I., Onyena, A.P., Sam, K. (2023a). Evaluation of human health and ecological risk of heavy metals in water, sediment and shellfishes in typical artisanal oil mining areas of Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-15.
• Chris, D.I., Wokeh, O.K., Lananan, F., Azra, M.N. (2023b). Assessment of Temporal Variation of Water Quality Parameters and Ecotoxic Trace Metals in Southern Nigeria Coastal Water. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies.32(5):4493–4502.
• Çavuş, H., Kükrer, S., Sağlam, M., Erginal, A. E. (2023). Analysis of Toxic Metal-Induced Ecological Risk in Kepez Stream, Çanakkale, Türkiye. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 10(2), 24-32. https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.1240397
• Davies, I. C., Anyanwu, E.D. (2023). Assessment of Some Heavy Metals and Health Risks in Water and Shrimps from A Polluted Mangrove Swamp, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Pollution, 9(4), 1653-1665.
• Davies, I.C., Ekperusi, A.O. (2021). Evaluation of heavy metal concentrations in water, sediment and fishes of New Calabar River in Southern Nigeria. Journal of Limnology and Freshwater Fisheries Research, 7(3), 207-218.
• Dirisu, C.E., Biose, E., Aighewi, I.T. (2019). Heavy metal contamination of Ewhare dumpsite environment in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. SCIREA Journal of Environment, 3(2), 30-45.
• Egbueri, J.C., Agbasi, J.C., Ayejoto, D.A., Khan, M.I., Khan M.Y.A. (2023). Extent of anthropogenic influence on groundwater quality and human health-related risks: an integrated assessment based on selected physicochemical characteristics. Geocarto International, 38(1), 2210100.
• Ehiemere, V.C., Ihedioha, J.N., Ekere, N.R., Ibeto, C.N., Abugu, H. O. (2022). Pollution and risk assessment of heavy metals in water, sediment and fish (Clarias gariepinus) in a fish farm cluster in Niger Delta region, Nigeria. Journal of Water and Health, 20(6), 927-945.
• Emenike, E.C., Iwuozor, K.O., Anidiobi, S.U. (2021). Heavy metal pollution in aquaculture: sources, impacts and mitigation techniques. Biological Trace Element Research, 1-17.
• Emoyan, O.O., Peretiemo-Clarke, B.O., Tesi, G.O., Adjerese, W., Ohwo, E. (2021). Occurrence, origin and risk assessment of trace metals measured in petroleum tank-farm impacted soils. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 30(4), 384-408.
• Engwa, G.A., Ferdinand, P.U., Nwalo, F.N., Unachukwu, M.N. (2019). Mechanism and health effects of heavy metal toxicity in humans. Poisoning in the modern world-new tricks for an old dog, 10, 70-90.
• Enuneku, A., Omoruyi, O., Tongo, I., Ogbomida, E., Ogbeide, O., Ezemonye, L. (2018). Evaluating the potential health risks of heavy metal pollution in sediment and selected benthic fauna of Benin River, Southern Nigeria. Applied water science, 8, 1-13.
• Fida, M., Li, P., Wang, Y., Alam, S. K., Nsabimana, A. (2023). Water contamination and human health risks in Pakistan: a review. Exposure and Health, 15(3), 619-639.
• Fayiga, A.O., Ipinmoroti, M.O., Chirenje, T. (2018). Environmental pollution in Africa. Environment, development and sustainability, 20, 41-73.
• Zhao, C., Zhang, X., Fang, X., Zhang, N., Xu, X., Li, L., Xia, Y. (2022). Characterization of drinking groundwater quality in rural areas of Inner Mongolia and assessment of human health risks. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 234, 113360.
• Fu, Z., Xi, S. (2020). The effects of heavy metals on human metabolism. Toxicology mechanisms and methods, 30(3), 167-176.
• Hammer, Ø., Harper, D. A. (2001). Past: paleontological statistics software package for educaton and data anlysis. Palaeontologia electronica, 4(1), 1.
• Ibim, A.T., Gogo, O.O. (2019). The Ornamental Fish Fauna Assemblage in the Upper Reaches of New Calabar River in Rivers State, Nigeria. Production Agriculture and Technology, 15(2), 38-48. Ihunwo, O.C., Ibezim-Ezeani, M.U., Wekpe, V.O., Shahabinia, A.R., Bonnail, E., Mmom, P.C., Jnr, M.H. (2022). Risk assessment of human exposure to lead and cadmium in tissues of Blackchin Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) from an intertidal creek in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Environmental Research Communications, 4(7), 075007.
• Isangedighi, I.A., David, G.S. (2019). Heavy metals contamination in fish: effects on human health. Journal of Aquatic Science and Marine Biology, 2(4), 7-12.
• Iwegbue, C.M., Ehigbor, M.J., Tesi, G.O., Eguavoen, O.I., Martincigh, B.S. (2021). Occurrence, sources and exposure risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in street dusts from the Nigerian megacity, Lagos. Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds, 42(1), 49-69.
• Jafarabadi, A.R., Mitra, S., Raudonytė-Svirbutavičienė, E., Bakhtiari, A.R. (2020). Large-scale evaluation of deposition, bioavailability and ecological risks of the potentially toxic metals in the sediment cores of the hotspot coral reef ecosystems (Persian Gulf, Iran). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 400, 122988.
• Javed, M., Usmani, N. (2019). An overview of the adverse effects of heavy metal contamination on fish health. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 89, 389-403.
• John, E.O., Nnadozie, J. (2021). Artisanal Crude Refining in Niger Delta and its Impact on the Cultural and Religious Beliefs of the People. GNOSI: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Human Theory and Praxis, 4(1), 112-124.
• Joseph, A., Antai, E., Bassey, A., Okoro, F. (2017). Evaluation of the abiotic accumulation factor of some heavy metals in muscles of Clarias gariepinus from Qua Iboe River, South-eastern Nigeria. Evaluation, 2(1).
• Kpee, F., Edori, O.S., Okotume, S.C. (2019). Geo-accumulation and Ecological Risks of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Andoni River, Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 6, 197-202.
• Landrigan, P. J., Stegeman, J. J., Fleming, L. E., Allemand, D., Anderson, D. M., Backer, L. C., Rampal, P. (2020). Human health and ocean pollution. Annals of global health, 86(1).
• Liu, T.T. (2019). Contamination and health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil surrounding an electroplating factory in Jiaxing, China. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 310, No. 5, p. 052026). IOP Publishing.
• Loucks, D.P., Van Beek, E. (2017). Water resource systems planning and management: An introduction to methods, models, and applications. Springer.
• Markmanuel, D. P., Amos-Tautau, B. M. W., Songca, S. P. (2022). Tin concentrations and human health risk assessment for children and adults in seafood and canned fish commonly consumed in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 26(7), 1263-1269.
• Manwani, S., Vanisree, C.R., Jaiman, V., Awasthi, K.K., Yadav, C.S., Sankhla, M.S., Awasthi, G. (2022). Heavy metal contamination in vegetables and their toxic effects on human health. Sustainable Crop Production: Recent Advances, 181.
• Moldovan, A., Hoaghia, M.A., Kovacs, E., Mirea, I.C., Kenesz, M., Arghir, R.A., Moldovan, O.T. (2020). Quality and health risk assessment associated with water consumption—A case study on karstic springs. Water, 12(12), 3510.
• Nassiri, O., Rhoujjati, A., EL Hachimi, M.L. (2021). Contamination, sources and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in water, sediment and soil around an abandoned Pb mine site in North East Morocco. Environmental Earth Sciences, 80(3), 96.
• Nnaemeka, A.N. (2020). Environmental pollution and associated health hazards to host communities (Case study: Niger Delta region of Nigeria). Central Asian Journal of Environmental Science and Technology Innovation, 1(1), 30-42.
• Obasi, P.N., Akudinobi, B.B. (2020). Potential health risk and levels of heavy metals in water resources of lead–zinc mining communities of Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 10(7), 1-23.
• Obasi, P.N., Eyankware, M.O., Edene, E.N. (2022). Contamination of potable water supply sources in the lead–zinc mining communities of Mkpuma Akpatakpa, Southeastern Nigeria. International Journal of Energy and Water Resources, 1-15.
• Obasohan, E.E., Eguavoen, O.I. (2021). Seasonal variations of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in a freshwater fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus) from Ogba River, Benin City, Nigeria. African Journal of General Agriculture, 4(3).
• Odekina, M.U., Davies, I.C., Akoko, S., Vincent-Akpu, I.F. (2021). Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Periophthalmus papillio, Sediment and Interstitial Water from Isaka-Bundu Water Front in Rivers State. Acad. J. Curr. Res, 8, 19-38.
• Ogamba, E.N., Charles, E.E., Izah, S.C. (2021). Distributions, pollution evaluation and health risk of selected heavy metal in surface water of Taylor Creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Toxicology and environmental health sciences, 13, 109-121.
• Okoye, C. O., Nyaruaba, R., Ita, R. E., Okon, S. U., Addey, C. I., Ebido, C. C., ... & Chukwudozie, K. I. (2022). Antibiotic resistance in the aquatic environment: analytical techniques and interactive impact of emerging contaminants. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology, 96, 103995.
• Okere, M.C., Davies, I.C., Okonkwo, S.E. (2020). Seasonal variation of the hydro-environmental factors and phytoplankton community around waters in Tincan Island, Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 24(10), 1739-1746.
• Okereafor, U., Makhatha, M., Mekuto, L., Uche-Okereafor, N., Sebola, T., Mavumengwana, V. (2020). Toxic metal implications on agricultural soils, plants, animals, aquatic life and human health. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(7), 2204.
• Onojake, M.C., Sikoki, F.D., Omokheyeke, O., Akpiri, R.U. (2017). Surface water characteristics and trace metals level of the Bonny/New Calabar River estuary, Niger delta, Nigeria. Applied Water Science, 7, 951-959.
• Rahman, M.S., Khan, M.D.H., Jolly, Y.N., Kabir, J., Akter, S., Salam, A. (2019). Assessing risk to human health for heavy metal contamination through street dust in the Southeast Asian Megacity: Dhaka, Bangladesh. Science of the total environment, 660, 1610-1622.
• Raimi, M.O., Sawyerr, H.O., Ezekwe, C.I., Opasola, A.O. (2022). Quality water, not everywhere: Assessing the hydrogeochemistry of water quality across Ebocha-Obrikom oil and gas flaring area in the Core Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Pollution, 8(3), 751-778.
• Rakib, M.R.J., Rahman, M.A., Onyena, A.P., Kumar, R., Sarker, A., Hossain, M. B., Sun, X. (2022). A comprehensive review of heavy metal pollution in the coastal areas of Bangladesh: abundance, bioaccumulation, health implications, and challenges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(45), 67532-67558.
• Rehman, K., Fatima, F., Waheed, I., Akash, M.S.H. (2018). Prevalence of exposure to heavy metals and their impact on health consequences. Journal of cellular biochemistry, 119(1), 157-184.
• Safiur Rahman, M., Shafiuddin Ahmed, A.S., Rahman, M.M., Omar Faruque Babu, S.M., Sultana, S., Sarker, S.I., Rahman, M. (2021). Temporal assessment of heavy metal concentration and surface water quality representing the public health evaluation from the Meghna River estuary, Bangladesh. Applied Water Science, 11(7), 121.
• Sani, A., Idris, K.M., Abdullahi, B.A., Darma, A.I. (2022). Bioaccumulation and health risks of some heavy metals in Oreochromis niloticus, sediment and water of Challawa river, Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. Environmental Advances, 7, 100172.
• Sankhla, M.S., Sharma, K., Kumar, R. (2017). Heavy metal causing neurotoxicity in human health. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science. Engineering and Technology, 6(5).
• Sharif, R., Chong, E., Meng, C.K. (2016). Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in shellfish from Kudat, Sabah. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 22(2), 301-305.
• Sharma, S.D. (2020). Risk assessment via oral and dermal pathways from heavy metal polluted water of Kolleru lake-A Ramsar wetland in Andhra Pradesh, India. Environmental Analysis, Health and Toxicology, 35(3).
• Sharma, B., Tyagi, S. (2013). Simplification of metal ion analysis in fresh water samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy for laboratory students. Journal of Laboratory Chemical Education, 1(3), 54-58.
• Sibanda, T., Selvarajan, R., Tekere, M. (2015). Urban effluent discharges as causes of public and environmental health concerns in South Africa’s aquatic milieu. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22(23), 18301-18317.
• Sonone, S.S., Jadhav, S., Sankhla, M.S., Kumar, R. (2020). Water contamination by heavy metals and their toxic effect on aquaculture and human health through the food Chain. Letters in Applied NanoBioScience,10(2), 2148-2166.
• Takarina, N.D., Pin, T.G. (2017). Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) of heavy metals in mangrove trees of Blanakan fish farm. Makara Journal of Science, 77-81.
• Ukhurebor, K.E., Athar, H., Adetunji, C.O., Aigbe, U.O., Onyancha, R.B., Abifarin, O. (2021). Environmental implications of petroleum spillages in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: a review. Journal of Environmental Management, 293, 112872.
• USEPA, (2001). Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment Vasquez Boulevard and I-70 Superfund Site Denver CO. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Available online: https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/reference/details/reference_id/786143
• USEPA (2004). Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund Volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part E). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Available online:
• USEPA, (2012). United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III Risk-Based Concentration (RBC) Table 2008. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA
• Ustaoğlu, F., Tepe, Y., Aydin, H. (2020). Heavy metals in sediments of two nearby streams from Southeastern Black Sea coast: Contamination and ecological risk assessment. Environmental Forensics, 21(2), 145-156.
• Vaishaly, A.G., Mathew, B.B., Krishnamurthy, N.B. (2015). Health effects caused by metal contaminated ground water. International Journal of Advanced Science and Research, 1(2), 60-64.
• Yarkwan, B. (2023). Contamination of African Water Resources: Impacts on Biodiversity and Strategies for Conservation and Restoration. Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Africa’s Biological Resources and Environment, 469-495.
• Yi, Y., Yang, Z., Zhang, S. (2011). Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in sediment and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in fishes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin. Environmental pollution, 159(10), 2575-2585.
• Zeng, X., Xu, X., Qin, Q., Ye, K., Wu, W., Huo, X. (2019). Heavy metal exposure has adverse effects on the growth and development of preschool children. Environmental geochemistry and health, 41, 309-321.
• Zhang, C., Yu, Z. G., Zeng, G. M., Jiang, M., Yang, Z. Z., Cui, F., Hu, L. (2014). Effects of sediment geochemical properties on heavy metal bioavailability. Environment international, 73, 270-281.