Abstract
This research delved into the intricate physiological responses of African land snails exposed to leachates from metal scrap dumpsites in Ado Ekiti metropolis. Raw leachates were collected from different leachate wells at the two dumpsites, these were used to form concentrations (v/v; leachate: dechlorinated tap water) and offered as drinking water throughout the study. A total of 80 points of lay snails (Archachatina marginata) 160.25 ± 5.84g and 7–8 months were used as test organism to assess the effect of the leachate. The snails were randomly allotted into four treatments, with four replicates and five snails per replicate representing the different leachate sample concentrations i.e T1-0%, T2-33.3%, T3- 66.67% and T4-100%. Results obtained indicated that the sodium, calcium, potassium, chromium, manganese and magnesium values of the leachates were higher than safety limits. The final weight of snails in T3 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than other treatment. The gonadosomatic index of snails in T1 was similar to T3 and T4 but significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on T2. Snails exposed to metal leachates have lower antioxidant activities compared with those on T1. In conclusion, the exposure of snails to higher concentrations of the leachates indicates potential toxicity and a tendency for impairment in reproductive capacity.