Assessment of copper levels along the Namibian marine coastline
1 Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Private Bag 13388, Windhoek, Namibia.
2 Department of Water Resources Management, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi.
3 Department of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, Sam Nujoma Campus, University of Namibia, P.O. Box 462, Henties Bay, Namibia.
4 National Commission for Research, Science and Technology, Private Bag, 13253, Windhoek, Namibia.
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2019, 07(03), 048–055.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2019.7.3.0101
Publication history:
Received on 05 June 2019; revised on 15 June 2019; accepted on 21 June 2019
Abstract:
Elevated trace metal in the aquatic environment is a global challenge. In this investigation, copper (Cu) levels were assessed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) during winter and summer months of 2012. The aim of this study was to determine the pollution status of Central Namibian coastline using copper levels in black mussel, sediments and water as indicators. Results indicated that Cu levels were significantly higher at Walvis Bay Harbour in mussels, sediments and water column (P < 0.05). Levels between summer and winter were not significant (P > 0.05). Black mussels at Walvis Bay Harbour could be regarded safe for consumption as the recorded levels were within the permissible limit set by the European Commission (EC. No.466/2001). However, further monitoring of the coastline is ecologically imperative to avoid human risks and irreversible ecological impacts.
Keywords:
Copper; Choromytilus meridionalis; Coastal pollution; Harbour; Marine; Namibia
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Copyright © 2019 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
