Biodiversity Conservation & Fisheries Research Center

Sunday, 10 August 2025

Asian Clam in Urban rivers of Bangladesh

Corbicula fluminea is an invasive bivalve that thrives in various aquatic environments, often used as a bioindicator for monitoring pollution. The study underscores the environmental contamination of urban rivers in Bangladesh with PTEs and highlights the potential health risks associated with consuming invasive Asian clams from these areas. Shellfish research expertise Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain addressing pollution sources and monitoring bioaccumulation are essential for safeguarding ecosystem and human health. Typically, higher concentrations of PTEs are observed in C. fluminea from highly polluted sites. Results often indicate potential health risks, especially for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.

Research entitled "Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the invasive Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) from polluted urban river areas of Bangladesh and evaluation of human health risk". Researcher Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain from BCFRC, Bangladesh and Jiangsu University, China conducted field visits to multiple urban rivers in Bangladesh to collect Asian clam samples, and the results have been published in the scientific journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.

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

Sunday, 27 July 2025

Sediment Pollution: Raising Awareness of Environmental and Health Challenges

BCFRC researcher Dr. Md Muzammel Hossain is actively raising awareness about the ongoing environmental and health issues associated with sediment pollution. His recent research appeared on Journal of Contaminant Hydrology with entitled “Distribution of potentially toxic elements in sediments of the municipal river channel (Balu), Dhaka, Bangladesh: Ecological and health risks assessment".

“The concern of potential toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in the river ecosystem is growing due to anthropological activity. Sediment pollution poses significant health risks by introducing harmful contaminants into water bodies, which can affect both aquatic ecosystems and human populations. Exposure to polluted sediments may lead to health issues such as skin irritations, gastrointestinal illnesses, and the transmission of waterborne diseases. Additionally, sediments can harbor toxic substances like Potential toxic elements (PTEs), which can accumulate in the food chain, increasing long-term health risks for communities relying on affected water sources. Addressing sediment pollution is crucial to safeguarding environmental and public health.”