WAYKAR BHALCHANDRA AND B. RAHANE
Abstract
The concentrations of cadmium, zinc, copper and lead in surface water, sediments and three native bivalve species, Lamellidens marginalis, Lamellidens corrianus and Parreysia cylindrica were determined from Gangapur reservoir. The concentrations of cadmium (0.007 mg/L) and lead (0.0250mg/L) in surface water were higher than the WHO recommended limits for drinking water standards; where as those of zinc (0.1008mg/L) and copper (0.0193 mg/L) were within the limits. The concentrations of all studied metals were higher in the sediment than water. It was also observed that the mean concentrations of lead (97.67μg/g) was highest in Lamellidens corrianus, copper (98.26μg/g) was highest in Lamellidens marginalis, while cadmium (13.67μg/g) and zinc (367.81μg/g) were highest in Parreysia cylindrica. The metal concentrations in three species of bivalves were higher than those of the water and sediments. The bioaccumulated metal concentrations, BWAF and BSAF values indicate that Lamellidens corrianus have greater potential for lead bioaccumulation, and Lamellidens marginalis for copper, while Parreysia cylindrica have greater potential for cadmium and zinc bioaccumulation. Therefore, Lamellidens corrianus is proposed as sentinel animal for monitoring of lead and Lamellidens marginalis for copper, while Parreysia cylindrica for cadmium and zinc in freshwater.