Abstract
The bio transfer and bio translocation factors of heavy metals in the tissues of Rhizophora racemose was evaluated in this study. Soil, roots and shoot samples of the study plant were randomly collected from Kono, Bomu, Ogu and Borokiri mangrove forests at wet and dry seasons, digested and analyzed for heavy metals using standard laboratory methods. The laboratory results of field samples were further subjected to bio transfer and bio translocation factors analysis. Findings on wet season bio transfer factor revealed the concentrations of Cr (0.36mg/kg), Ni (0.86 mg/kg), Cd (2.86 mg/kg), Pb (1.17 mg/kg) and Zn (1.85 mg/kg), while dry season showed Cr (0.36mg/kg), Ni (0.55 mg/kg), Cd (1.24 mg/kg), Pb (2.72 mg/kg) and Zn (1.99 mg/kg). The bio translocation factor results for wet season indicated the concentrations of Cr (0.51mg/kg), Ni (1.47 mg/kg), Cd (1.02 mg/kg), Pb (1.48 mg/kg) and Zn (0.88 mg/kg), while dry season result revealed Cr (0.41mg/kg), Ni (0.65 mg/kg), Cd (1.24 mg/kg), Pb (1.50 mg/kg) and Zn (0.81 mg/kg). This study therefore classifies Rhizophora racemose as a hyper accumulator of Pb and Cd in shoot tissues and non-hyper accumulator of Cr, Ni and Zn in root tissues. Beside other uses, the plant has shown high affinity for the accumulation of heavy metals and thus can be used for phytoremediation. Keywords: Phytoextraction, mangrove, heavy metals, evaluation, bio-transfer, bio-translocation DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-14-03 Publication date: July 31 st 2021
Highlights
The Niger Delta region has over the years been prone to various forms of pollution, some of which are due to inundation by oil spills
This mangrove forest falls among locations that are exposed to large deposits of wastes and pollutants due to the innate characteristics of growing in environments with tidal fluctuation (Erakrumen, 2014)
Finding of this study has shown that R. racemose dissipated a Bio transfer factor (BTF) < 1, an observation that classify the plant as a non-hyper accumulator of Ni
Summary
The Niger Delta region has over the years been prone to various forms of pollution, some of which are due to inundation by oil spills. Oil spillage in the region had been attributed to pipeline corrosion, leakages from well heads, poor maintenance of oil related infrastructures, human errors, oil theft and vandalization (Adeola, 2000; Amnesty International 2009) The pollution of this coastal belt is further aggravated by poor regulation of oil related activities such as exploration and exploitation of crude oil and gas(Erakrumen, 2007).The Niger Delta mangrove swamp forest had been reported as highly productive for fisheries resources (Akankali and Jamabo, 2012). This mangrove forest falls among locations that are exposed to large deposits of wastes and pollutants due to the innate characteristics of growing in environments with tidal fluctuation (Erakrumen, 2014). Information on heavy metals pollution is necessitated as it is currently a problem needing global attention (Marchand et al, 2006), consequent on the premise that they are non-biodegradable and their persistence and accumulation in the environment causes toxicity in organisms (Ghosh and Singh 2005, Neff et al, 2006)
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