Human health risk attributed to consumption of seafood and recreation swimming in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka: An assessment on lagoon water and inhabitant oysters (Crassostrea cucullata Born, 1778)
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Human health risk attributed to consumption of seafood and recreation swimming in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka: An assessment on lagoon water and inhabitant oysters (Crassostrea cucullata Born, 1778)
Citation:Ayitey, S., Nijamdeen, T.W.G.F.M., Pieris, H., Arachchilage, S.K., George, I., Dahdouh-Guebas, F., & Deepananda, K. H.M.A. (2024). Human health risk attributed to consumption of seafood and recreation swimming in Negombo Lagoon, Sri Lanka: An assessment on lagoon water and inhabitant oysters (Crassostrea cucullata Born, 1778), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 201, 116189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116189
Date:2024
Abstract:
The Negombo Lagoon is a coastal lagoon influenced by local communities that introduce waste into its
ecosystem. This study examined seven sewage entry points, out of which five sites were chosen for oyster
sampling based on availability. Physicochemical and microbiological parameters of water (measured in triplicate
at each site, n = 84) and oyster samples (total length, TL > 6 cm, n = 30) were assessed. Variation in regional
coliform contamination was analyzed employing a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that
the northern part of the lagoon exceeded recommended coliform thresholds for swimming (total coliform concentration
(TCC) < 126 most probable number (MPN)) and seafood consumption (TCC < 100 MPN/g), indicating
the presence of Escherichia coli. Water quality indices affirmed fecal pollution, except in the southern part of the
lagoon. Furthermore, the study found high oyster consumption (76.7 %), elucidating that oysters from the
northern part of Negombo Lagoon pose health risks.