Toxicology of Nickel

Amadi, Fyneface Chikadibia; Emeji, Roseline; Konne, Felix Eedee; Jacob, Ransom Baribefii

Amadi, Fyneface Chikadibia Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Emeji, Roseline Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Nigeria.
Konne, Felix Eedee Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Jacob, Ransom Baribefii Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Keywords: Nickel (Ni), sediment, periwinkle

Abstract

The study was carried out in Eagle Island River, located in Mgbuosimini community, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In this study, the concentration of Nickel (Ni) in sediments and periwinkles (Tympanotonus fuscatus) were determined from 25 sample stations in Eagle Island River. The portion of the periwinkle that was assayed was the edible part. The assay was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The meanSD of Ni concentrations in sediments and periwinkles were 2.771.05 mg/kg and 6.251.98 mg/kg respectively. The mean concentration of Ni was higher in periwinkles than in sediments. The correlation coefficient between Ni concentrations in sediment and periwinkle was 32.7%. Following the increasing industrial activities and waste disposal in the water body, the need to regularly determine the concentrations of this heavy metal in the water, aquatic lives and sediments is imperative in order to uphold environmental and human health protection.