Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on monitoring the heavy metal contents in water, sediment and snail species in Latipada reservoir

Bhalchandra Waykar and Ram Petare*

Department of Zoology, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathawada University, Aurangabad - 431 004, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: rampetare@gmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

28 May 2015

Revised received:

02 November 2015

Re-revised received:

15 December 2015

Accepted:

28 January 2016

Abstract

The concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in surface water, sediments and two native snail species, Bellamya bengalensis and Melanoides tuberculata from Latipada reservoir were determined. The concentrations of cadmium and lead in surface water were higher than the WHO recommended limits for drinking water standards; where as those of zinc and copper were within the permissible limits. The concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead were higher in sediments than in water. The observed bioaccumulated level of zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in Bellamya bengalensis were Zn- 197.22, Cu- 172.14, Cd- 11.59 and Pb- 112.57mg g-1, while in Melanoides tuberculata were Zn- 136.59, Cu- 132.04, Cd- 13.25 and Pb- 27.69mg g-1. The metal concentrations in both species of snails were higher than those of the water and sediment. Bioaccumulated metal concentrations, Bio-Water Accumulation Factor (BWAF) and Bio-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) values indicated that Bellamya bengalensis had high potential for zinc, copper and lead bioaccumulation than Melanoides tuberculata, while Melanoides tuberculata had high potential for cadmium than Bellamya bengalensis. Therefore, Bellamya bengalensis is proposed as sentinel organism for monitoring zinc, copper and lead, while Melanoides tuberculata for monitoring cadmium in freshwater.         

 Key words

Bioaccumulation, BWAF values, BSAF values, Heavy metal toxicity, Latipada reservoir, Snail

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