V1I8P7

Bioaccumulation and Toxicological Effects of Heavy Metals in Wildlife: Implications for Ecosystem Health and Human Exposure

Jelil Olaoye^1*, Taiwo Bakare-Abidola², Osuji Faith Chinaza³, Dilioha  Jude⁴, Jimoh Taofeek Saka⁵, Ezekiel Tosin Babatunde⁶, Sodiq Atanda Isiaka⁷

Abstract

Heavy metals, including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), are persistent environmental pollutants that accumulate in ecosystems due to anthropogenic activities such as industrial discharges, mining, and agricultural practices. These metals enter the food chain, where they accumulate in wildlife through processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification, leading to toxicological effects that can severely impact animal health and disrupt ecological balance. Wildlife species at various trophic levels, including aquatic and terrestrial organisms, experience physiological harm when exposed to elevated concentrations of heavy metals, resulting in impaired reproduction, organ damage, and behavioral changes. These pollutants also pose significant risks to human health, as wildlife, particularly in the form of fish, shellfish, and game, often serve as a source of food for human populations. This review explores the mechanisms of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in wildlife, the toxicological impacts on animal health, and the broader implications for ecosystem stability and human exposure. The review also emphasizes the importance of effective environmental management practices and policy measures to mitigate the risks posed by heavy metal contamination in both wildlife and humans.

Keywords:

Heavy metals, bioaccumulation, wildlife, toxicology, ecosystem health, human exposure, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, pollution, biomagnification, environmental risk, trophic levels, food chain.