Oil spillage and its impact on the edible mangrove periwinkle, <i>Tympanotonus fuscatus</i> var Radula (l).

Abstract

Oil spills are a regular occurrence in the oil industry in Nigeria, a process that results in the release of excess hydrocarbons into the environment, negatively impacting plant and animal species. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted on refined oil impacted and fire ravaged mangrove ecosystem to determine the effect of oil spillage on the edible periwinkle Tympanotus fuscatus. The results showed that recolonisation occurred one year after the pollution. Tympanotonus fuscatus was observed in higher numbers than other organisms that attempted recolonisation. Bioassays carried out to investigate the response of T. fuscatus to the refined oil product showed a 96hr Lc50 value of 104.68ml/L.

Keywords: Tympanotonus fuscatus, impact, periwinkle, oil spillage, pollution