Bioaccumulation of Cadmium (Cd) in the Soft Tissues of Freshwater Asian Clams (Corbicula fluminea) of Laguna de Bay

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Filipinos are fond of eating clams and other species of edible marine organisms. One of those bivalves is the Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea). In this study, the researchers aimed to identify the concentration of cadmium (Cd) in Asian clams collected at three sampling sites of Laguna de Bay in Calamba City.METHODSSamples of the Asian Clams were collected in three sampling sites last August 09, 2016. The three sampling sites were Looc, Uwisa, and Aplaya. Sampling site locations were recorded using Google map. Heavy metal analysis for cadmium (Cd) was conducted using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), which performed in the Institute of Chemistry at the University of the Philippines, Los BaÑos.

RESULTS.

The concentration of Cadmium (Cd) Beyond IR Limit in Asian Clam TissuesFigure 1. Detection Limit Cadmium (Cd) in Asian Clam TissuesThe figure above presented the computed concentration of Cadmium (Cd) by getting the difference between the mean concentration and the ingestion rate limit of 0.0008mg/kg for one day. It can be noted that Looc has the highest concentration of 0.2192mg/kg which is beyond the ingestion rate limit of 0.0008mg/kg for one day, Uwisanhas 0.1192mg/kg and Aplaya have exceeded beyond the limit of 0.0992mg/kg.

DISCUSSIONS

Estimates of health risks associated with Asian Clam tissues consumption were summarized according to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health effects. Non-carcinogenic Health Quotient (NHQ) values of the heavy metal showed that cadmium concentration in urban and even in rural areas are the most urgent pollutant in terms of adverse health effects from risks associated with Asian Clam tissues consumption from all sampling sites in the lake.

From the point of view of human health protection and disease prevention, the Asian Clam from Laguna de Bay is not fit for human consumption due to cadmium contamination.