2. International Journal of Biotechnology (IJBT), Volume 1, Issue 1, January- March 2012
Unlu E 2004). Usually among aquatic animals the bivalves which are filter feeders have very
good ability in accumulating large quantities of heavy metals and microbes mainly
pathogens. The dumping of enormous of quantities of sewage and industrial effluents in to
estuaries has resulted in a drastic reduction of shallow water fish populations, increased
pollution and ecological imbalance resulting in the large scale is appearance of numerous
flora and fauna ( Rajendran et al .,2004).Aquatic pollution started long back ,but intensified
during the last few decades and now the situation has become alarming especially in India (
Girija et al ,2007) .The distribution of heavy metals in solution has widely been recognised
as a major factor in the geochemical behaviour, transport and biological effects of these
elements in natural waters ( Ananthan et al.,1992: Karthikeyan et al.,2004,2007). Ennore
creek is situated in northeast coast of Chennai city, Tamilnadu India. Ennore comprises of
lagoons, with salt marshes and backwaters, which are submerged under water during high
tide and form an arm of the sea opening in to the Bay of Bengal. The total area of the creek
is 2.25 sq km and is nearly 400 meter wide. Its channels connect it to the Pulicat lake to the
north and to the Kortalaiyar river in the south ( Kannan et al., 2007).Ennore receives sewage
from in and around Ennore area, Royapuram and industrial effluents from Manali. The
dredging activities in Ennore area result in changes in the landscape, Sediment transport, and
dust pollution to the coast by quarrying process .Bioaccumulation of heavy metals affect the
organisms by accumulating in their tissues and are transferred to the next trophic level. The
accumulated heavy metal becomes toxic when it crosses the permissible limit. Accumulation
of heavy metal depends on various factors like concentration of metals in water and exposure
period; although some other environmental factors such as salinity ,pH , hardness and
temperature play significant roles in metal accumulation. (Blackmore and Wang
,2003).Mussels have been considered as potential biomonitor for metallic contamination in
marine ecosystem (Jung and Zauke,2008 ). Exposure to heavy metals can also affect
reproduction efficiency of aquatic biota and can lead to gradual extinction of their
generations in polluted waters (Sridhara et al., 2008). Hence an study has been conducted to
evaluate the heavy metals like Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in the tissues of Perna viridis and in the
water.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample preparation for metal analysis
The mussel tissue was weighed , dried at 60°c in an oven until they reached a constant
weight. The analysis of trace metals was carried out using the standard method ( Alam et al
.,2002). All the reagents used are of analytical grade. The sample was digested with
concentrated nitric acid. The samples were transferred to a clean beaker. Then 10ml of
concentrated nitric acid was added and the sample was heated using a hot plate , continuing
until every sample was completely digested. After cooling a further 10 ml of 1N nitric acid
was added. The solution was then diluted and filtered through whatman filter paper or
0.45µm nitrocellulose membrane filter. Determination of the elements in all samples was
carried out by ICP-AES (optima 2100 DV, Perkin Elmer, USA).
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3. International Journal of Biotechnology (IJBT), Volume 1, Issue 1, January- March 2012
Analysis of water sample
Water samples were filtered through 0.45µm whatmann no.1 filter paper and then
water sample was adjusted to pH 3.5 with HCl. The solution was transferred to a separatory
funnel. 10ml of a freshly prepared 2% solution of amino-pyrolidine dithiocarbanate (APDC)
was added and the mixture was shaken by a mechanical shaker, 20ml of methyl isobutyl
ketone was added and the mixture was again shaken for 2 minutes. The phase was separated
and analysed using ICP-AES (Optima 2100 DV, Perklin- Elmer ,USA). A blank
determination was done using the same procedure but without water samples.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1: Bioaccumalation of heavy metals (Cadmium, Zinc ,Lead, Copper and (ppm) in
perna viridis from Ennore creek during pre monsoon, monsoon, post monsoon and summer
S.No Heavy metal Post Summer Pre monsoon Monsoon
Monsoon
1 Cd 0.0087 0.0065 0.0078 0.0056
2 Zn 2.132 - 0.087 0.084
3 Pb 0.097 0.054 0.353 0.347
4 Cu 0.376 - 0.324 0.364
Table 2: Bioaccumalation of heavy metal (Cadmium, Zinc ,Lead, Copper and (µg/ml ) in
water from Ennore creek during pre monsoon, monsoon, post monsoon and summer
S.No Heavy metal Post Summer Pre monsoon Monsoon
Monsoon
1 Cd 4.370 3.532 2.457 3.789
2 Zn 35.93 28.43 19.12 26.73
3 Pb 8.342 7.365 7.023 7.872
4 Cu 153.073 176.732 132.33 151.22
The result on heavy metals observed during present study in Ennore estuary (June
2009 to June 2010) is given in Table 1 and Table 2.
The overall heavy metal accumulation can be presented in descending order as
follows.
In mussel sample Zn<Cu<Pd<Cd , In water sample Cu<Zn<Pd<Cd
In the present study higher pollution of Copper and Zinc was found in Ennore area.
Heavy metals were maximum during post monsoon and summer seasons followed by
monsoon and minimum during pre monsoon season. In the Ennore seacoast the
concentrations of metals were observed to be higher during summer than the monsoon. These
seasonal low values may be attributed to fresh water input following rain as well as due to the
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4. International Journal of Biotechnology (IJBT), Volume 1, Issue 1, January- March 2012
release of surplus water from the Poondi reservoir in to the sea, while the higher values in
summer are due to the evaporation of water, raising metal concentrations.
In an earlier study, lower metal concentrations were observed during winter and
higher during the summer season. (Caccia and Millero,2003).Our study reveals high levels of
Zinc and Lead compared to Copper and Cadmium. Concentrations of heavy metals were not
uniform in water. Copper was high during summer season. Zinc, Cadmium and Lead were
more in post monsoon season.Perna viridis accumulated heavy metal Zinc at maximum and
heavy metal cadmium at minimum. The data obtained in the present study in green mussels
shows that metal Zinc is accumulated in higher concentration than cadmium, Zinc, lead and
Copper. And in water Copper is higher . There is no correlation between the metals from the
present data.Some authors have sought to establish correlations between various metals but
the scientific views and interpretations continue to be at variance (Bruland and Franks, 1983).
Kang, Choi oh, Wright and Koh (1999) who worked on Asian periwinkle ( Littorina
brevicula) noticed that certain toxic metals, Cadmium and Lead in the tissue reflected
environmental levels ,Whereas Copper and Zinc were regulated by marine gastropods. This
phenomenon was also seen in other species of the periwinkle by Young (1975) Bryan et al.,
1983, Langston and Zhole (1986), Marigomiz and Ireland (1989,1990).Zinc is well regulated
in crustaceans (Bryan,1967) with excess metals stored in the hepatopancreas or excreted. (
Colvocoresses and Lynch 1975).The total metabolic requirement for zinc in marine decapods
crustaceans is 71 µg/g dry weight (White and Rainbow,1985).Cadmium is a non essential
element and is not well regulated in decapods crustaceans (Bryan ,1979; Rainbow,1985,
Wong and Rainbow,1986).Metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn are essential metals as they
play an important role in biological systems ,Hg, Cd and Pb are non- essential and are toxic
too.
Lead in water comes from industrial ,mines and smelter discharges before being
deposited in the sediment sinks. Lead is also used in the production of lead acid batteries,
solder, alloys ,cable sheathi ng, pigments, rust inhibitors, ammunition, glazes and plastic
stabilizers. Prabhahar et al., (2010). Lead toxicity leads to anaemia both by impairment of
haemo – biosynthesis and acceleration of red blood cell destruction. The high metal
concentration may be originated from anthropogenic sources such as waste incineration,
vehicle operations, combustible consumptioned fertilizer use, Which likely come from the
upper basin of the lotic system that flow in to the wetland .The great difference in metal
concentration between low and high water period should be taken in to account when
analysing contamination in waters .It is clear that water quality has seasonal variation, fact
that should be considered where seafood plays an important role. Heavy metal in to coastal
waters need to be examined for its impact on the ability of marine organisms to survive and
reproduce. Evaluation of important and valuable mussels is necessary prior to the future
development of industries or power plants near the marine environment. A realistic
assessment of metals as toxicants in man’s environment is essential to establish meaningful
pollution guidelines.
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5. International Journal of Biotechnology (IJBT), Volume 1, Issue 1, January- March 2012
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