Mercury accumulation in the clam, Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) at the Volta estuary, Ghana

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2010 Nov;85(5):497-501. doi: 10.1007/s00128-010-0125-7. Epub 2010 Oct 23.

Abstract

The concentration of mercury in the tissues of the clam, Galatea paradoxa at in the Volta estuary, Ghana, were analysed over an 18-month period, from March 2008 to August 2009. The concentrations were well below the International Human Consumption Advisory Limit of THg (0.5 μg/g wet weight). The concentrations in the tissues of the different clam size classes were between 6 and 18 times lower than the WHO Safety Reference Standard. Variation in the mean mercury concentration in the different clam size classes was not significant (p > 0.05) for clams from Aveglo but were highly significant (p < 0.0001) for clams from Ada, indicating a possible effect of size on accumulation. G. paradoxa is therefore suitable for human consumption based on the WHO Safety Reference Standards.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bivalvia / metabolism*
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Food Analysis
  • Ghana
  • Mercury / metabolism*
  • Rivers / chemistry
  • Seasons
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Mercury