Asian Journal of Advances in Research

A year-long investigation (September 2022 to August, 2023) was carried out to evaluate the bioaccumulation levels and ecological risks of selected heavy metals in Parapenaeopsis atlantica harvested from Iko River Estuary, Nigeria. The primary objective was to assess the potential health risks associated with consuming this shrimp species from the estuary. A total of 40 shrimp samples were collected monthly from artisanal fishers operating in the estuary. Upon collection, samples were rinse with seawater, packaged in labelled cellophane bags, and preserved in ice-cooled containers before been transported to the laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory standardized procedures were employed for sample preparation and heavy metal analysis, using a Perkin-Elmer Analyst 800 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The heavy metals examined included cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Concentrations of these metals in shrimp tissues showed no statistically significant seasonal variation, with the exception of copper (Cu). Notably, iron and zinc recorded the highest concentrations across all sampling periods, a pattern attributed to their natural abundance in the environment. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among several metal pairs, while hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the metals based on their concentration levels and likely source of origin. Overall, the concentration of heavy metals detected in P. atlntica remained within the safety threshold established by WHO/FAO guidelines for human consumption. Nonetheless, the observed bioaccumulation trends underscore the need for regular environmental monitoring to mitigate long-term health risks to consumers of seafood from the estuary.