Aspects of the Biology and Heavy Metal Concentration in the Giant Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus Monodon (Fabricius, 1798) from Lagos Lagoon
Abstract
The present study investigated aspects of the biology and heavy metals concentrations in the flesh of Penaeus monodon from the Lagos Lagoon. 183 samples were collected between July – September 2018 and they were used to study the ageing and growth pattern using length-frequency distribution and length-weight relationship. Food and feeding habits were determined by numerical and occurrence methods while heavy metals concentration was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The samples consisted of 61 females and 122 males and their total length, carapace length and total weight ranged from 11.5 to 33.0 cm, 4.1 to 14.0 cm and 8.0 to 271.7 g, respectively. Three age groups were obtained from length-frequency distribution. The b values of 3.09 and 3.27 for the carapace length/weight relationship and the total length/weight relationship obtained respectively showed a positive allometric growth pattern of the species. P. monodon fed on green algae, diatoms, crustaceans and fish fragments and their condition factor ranged between 0.6 and 0.9. The sex ratio (1:0.5) showed that males were significantly (p < 0.05) more males than females in the study area. Heavy metals accumulated in the flesh in decreasing order of Fe > Zn > Pb > Mn > Cd > Cu > Cr. The concentrations of Pb, Mn and Cr were higher than the FAO/WHO maximum acceptable values for consumption. This study suggested a potential health risk which could arise from consumption of P. monodon from the lagoon, if relevant mitigating strategies are not enforced.
Copyright (c) 2023 Desmond O. Ugegeh, Mosunmola F. Akinwunmi, Oluwagbenga O. Olude, Olufemi O. Soyinka
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