Abstract
This study was carried out to assess the levels of trace metals (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) in the macroalgae and sediment of the Sundarban mangrove estuary in Bangladesh. In this connection, macroalgae, water and sediment samples were collected seasonally (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) for a year from the study area. The surface water of the estuary was found to be quite rich in NO3, PO4 and NH4, which is more than that of the sediment pore water. Trace elements were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The amount of trace metals in the samples were found in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Enrichment factor was done for trace metals in sediment and showed non-crustal origin of Zn and Cu in the monsoon period. Analysis of variance revealed the seasonal variation of trace metal concentration in sediment (except Mn; p > 0.05) and macroalgae (except Zn; p > 0.05). Iron in sediment showed significant positive correlation both with Fe (r = 0.84, p < 0.05) and Mn (r = 0.87, p < 0.01) in macroalgae. Similarly, Cu in sediment demonstrated a significant positive correlation with Cu in macroalgae (r = 0.81, p < 0.01). The findings reveal a significant communication of metals in sediment and macroalgae.
Highlights
Estuaries are considered to be significant reservoir of trace metals that have originated from both anthropogenic and natural sources
The concentration of nitrate in surface water remains higher during the monsoon season which could be due to the freshwater influx (Kumar et al 2009)
There has been very few information about the trace metal distribution in surface water and sediment and none for the macroalgae of the Sundarban. This might be the first initiative to assess trace metal accumulation in macroalgae in the Sundarban mangrove estuary in Bangladesh
Summary
Estuaries are considered to be significant reservoir of trace metals that have originated from both anthropogenic and natural sources. The coastal metropolitan areas discharge a huge amount of industrial and domestic wastes that led the pollution in coastal estuaries and affect marine communities (Amado Filho and Pfeiffer 1998) Trace elements those discharged with municipal and industrial wastes are significantly accumulated by many marine and estuarine species. Trace metals like Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn are essential for aquatic biota to a specific concentration, but they can become toxic if their concentration level in the environment is high (Yap et al 2003) It is essential in detecting the sources of such pollutants and measuring trace elements concentration and distribution in the marine environment for better understanding of their behaviour and fate in the aquatic environment (Kumar et al 2010). Biomonitoring of metals using macroalgae has been reported in many geographic regions including the Sarawak Malaysia (Billah et al 2017),
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