Heavy metal bioaccumulation in the macroinvertebrate functional feeding guilds of an impaired stream in South-West Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Anthropogenic impacts and the accumulation of heavy metals in water bodies have increased significantly as a result of increased urbanisation, endangering both aquatic biota and human health. The pace of urbanisation and its attendant freshwater ecosystem pollution in Nigeria is so fast that there are concerns for the nation’s freshwater biota. To this end, six heavy metals were investigated in the water column, sediment, and tissues of macroinvertebrate functional feeding guilds (FFGs) of a Nigerian stream. Three heavy metals that are non-essential (As, Cd, and Pb) exceeded their WHO permissible limits for surface fresh waters. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) used to assess heavy metal pollution, there was a high level of Cd contamination among all heavy metals found in the sediment. These heavy metals were all biomagnified (>1), especially among the predators. The study concluded that Opa Stream was moderately impacted based on the concentrations of heavy metals in the stream’s water column, sediment, and macroinvertebrate tissues. Future research works can consider the remediation of heavy metals that are non-essential in freshwater systems to ensure the sustainability of freshwater biodiversity and human health.

KEYWORDS:

• Cadmium
• contamination factor
• geo-accumulation index
• predatory macroinvertebrates
• sediment
• water column

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that supports the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, EOA, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Esther D. Kowobari

Esther D. Kowobari is an environmental scientist and master’s degree holder in zoology with a specialisation in environmental conservation

Tolulope A. Oladeji

Tolulope A. Oladeji is a zoologist and a master’s degree holder in environmental control and management

Abiodun M. Adedapo

Abiodun M. Adedapo is a doctoral candidate in the area of environmental conservation at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Ibrahim R. Fagbohun

Ibrahim R. Fagbohun an environmental scientist and master’s degree holder in zoology with specialisation in environmental conservation

Oyetunde O. Opanike

Oyetunde O. Opanike is an environmentalist and doctoral candidate in environmental science at Flinders University, Australia

Emmanuel O. Akindele

Emmanuel O. Akindele is a freshwater conservationist and associate professor in Zoology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.