Analysis of Heavy Metal Contents (Cu. Pb And Zn) of Coral Annual Band (Porites Lutea) in the Eastern Part of Bintan Island

Abstract

This study analyzed the growth rate of massive corals Porites lutea and heavy metal contents in its annual band. The aims of this study were to perceive the age of corals, relation between growth rates and sea surface temperature, rainfall, and duration of sunlight as well as the heavy metal (Cu, Pb and Zn ) extent in their annual band. This study was conducted with radiographic approach to determine the direction and the annual band of corals. Sample preparation methods contained determining the annual growth direction, cutting the samples, and dissolving the coral samples. The prepared samples were analyzed using AAS to calculate their Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations. The results showed that the growth rate of P. lutea coral growth rate was range from 2.78 ± 0.25 to 9.90 ± 1.90 mm/year. The growth rate and sea surface temperature were positively correlated (18.28 %), the rainfall and sunlight duration were correlated negatively 37.82 % and 0.67 % respectively. The highest concentration of Cu and Pb were consecutively found at the stations Kawal, Malang Rapat, and Teluk Bakau, while the highest concentration of Zn were consecutively found in Teluk Bakau, Malang Rapat, and Kawal. Through annual band of coral, from surface to the core part of massive colony coral, we noticed The Cu, Zn and Pb increased variedly with value range of 2.087 ± 0.179 to 2.504 ± 0.117 mg/kg for Cu, 12.304 ± 4.815 to 32.944 ± 5.926 1mg/kg for Zn, and 1.761 ± 0.910 to 9.501 ± 0.483 926 mg/kg. The study may reveals an historical apportionment of anthropogenic heavy metals in the studied area.