Mercury accumulation in the clam, Galatea paradoxa (Born 1778) at the Volta estuary, Ghana.
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.
Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
K A
KA
Obirikorang
S
S
Amisah
D
D
Adjei-Boateng
H A
HA
Madkour
F A
FA
Otchere
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005504:Food Analysis; D005869:Ghana; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury