Bioaccumulation of Selected Heavy Metals (Cd, Zn, Pb and Cr) in the Tissue of Mudskipper (Periophthalmus papilio) from Lelasibokpo Creek, Bodo City, Gokana L.G.A, Rivers State, Nigeria

The activities and progress of industries have led to increased emission of pollutants into ecosystems. The Lelasibokpo Creek is one of the most important aquatic ecosystems in Bodo City, Gokana LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria. It has received effluent discharges and crude oil pollution from heavily industrialized and highly populated settlements. So, studies to ascertain the levels of heavy metals in this marine environment and determine potentially hazardous levels for man are necessary. In this investigation, concentration of heavy metals Cd, Zn, Pb and Cr in mudskippers were determined using appropriate laboratory procedure. Heavy metal concentration in Lelasibokpo creek decreased in the order of Zn>Cr>Pb>Cd. The highest concentration of heavy metal observed in Zinc was 15.6656 ±4.5mg/kg and the lowest in Cadmium 0.8044 ±0.8mg/kg. The physiochemical parameters of pH, BOD, COD, Turbidity, Salinity, DO, TDS and Conductivity were also determined and varied within the three stations in their concentrations. The heavy metal concentration was not statistically significant and their concentrations exceeded the permissible limits for heavy metals as stipulated by WHO and FEPA (now the Federal Ministry of Environment). This calls for serious concern thus, a serious notification to industrial and manmade pollution, which can lead to marine habitat and food chain contamination, is necessary and important.