Research on Invasive Asian Clam Species

Content from Journal : Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-024-13322-6 

Abstract

The invasive Asian clam species, Corbicula fluminea, has significant ecological and societal implications at both local and international levels due to its nutritional aspects. C. fluminea from four urban rivers in Bangladesh exhibited negative allometric growth and degree of contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which posed a concern to human health based on the AAS and USEPA risk models. The highest mean concentration of PTEs followed a decreasing order: Zn (155.08 ± 4.98 mg/kg) > Cu (53.96 ± 7.61 mg/kg) > Mn (14.29 ± 3.25 mg/kg) > Cd (2.23 ± 0.10 mg/kg) > Pb (1.64 ± 0.14 mg/kg) > As (1.51 ± 0.45 mg/kg) > Ni (1.25 ± 0.27 mg/kg) > Cr (0.65 ± 0.02 mg/kg) in C. fluminea and raising safety concerns. With the exception of Cr and Mn, all element levels were exceeded safety guideline value (SGV) (mg/kg. ww) and exhibited a strong positive correlation (p < 0.05) among the sites. The target hazard quotient of Mn is THQ > 1, and As showed a non-carcinogenic risk in children at OBR, BR, and MR site. The hazard index (HI > 1) value at the BR and MR sites indicated a public health risk associated with the clam. The target cancer risk (TCR) values for As, Cd, and Ni showed that consuming clams posed a carcinogenic risk to human health. These findings suggest that eating these clams may put consumers at significant risk for health issues related to As, Cd, Ni, and Mn exposure. The study emphasizes the need for strict monitoring and preventative measures to reduce the health risks posed by PTEs contamination in clams.

Research Article

 

Source: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106540

 Abstract

The content of heavy metals in the food chain has grown due to human activities and rapid industrial growth. The accumulation of heavy metals in P. betel leaves and the related threat to human health were analyzed by using the AAS that was collected from eleven locations inside the city of Dhaka. High MDA contents indicated contamination in P. betel samples and can regulate biochemical activity by different potential toxic elements (PTEs). The P. betel samples revealed the highest mean concentrations of As (2.09 mg/kg), Pb (0.06 mg/kg), Mn (218 mg/kg), Ni (1.55 mg/kg), Cu (10 mg/kg), Zn (2.6 mg/kg), Cr (5.1 mg/kg), and Cd (0.003 mg/kg) and certain metal exceed the guideline value. Mn, Cr, and As mean values at the research sites are higher than the permitted concentration range. Among all metals, Mn was the most accumulated metal in leaves and enhanced hazard index (HI) and non-carcinogenic risk for children. Individual metal THQ values were all less than 1 (except Mn), indicating that consuming only one metal from betel samples would not pose a serious risk to one's health. However, HI value (> 1) indicates a possible non-carcinogenic health risk to urban city people, especially in children. The assessment revealed that the allowable range of Cr and As content in betel leaves may enhance the carcinogenic risk (CR). Among heavy metals, the CR value of Cr indicated an enhanced cancer risk in children at L3, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, and L11 sites. This study shows from a health perspective that people who eat contaminated betel leaves are continuously exposed to metal pollution, which can have both carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic effects.

Commitment to celebrate World Fish Migration Day

                       

Free Move For Fish

The BCFRC used the theme "Free Move For Fish" to commemorate World Fish Migration Day in 2024.

Happy Fish welcomed Dr. Md. Muzammel Hossain's team to Jiangsu City, China, where they briefly celebrated WFMD2024 for public awareness. Mariam Hossain, Nyma Sultan was honoured with the joyful fish insignia on WFMD2024.  

Sunjida Jahan Tripty and Md. Zaki Azam Shishir investigated migratory fish (Hilsha). They have gathered samples for their investigation by visiting a number of Dhaka marketplaces.

 

Details will be reported soon.