Metals accumulation (Cu, Zn and Pb) in mangrove-associated plants from Blanakan Brackish Water Pond, Subang District, West Java

Abstract

Mangrove-associated plants can be used as bioindicators of heavy metals pollution in the aquatic environment such as brackish water ponds. The purpose of this research was to know the heavy metals content in roots, stems and leaves of dominant (Pluchea indica and Sesuvium portulacastrum). This research was conducted from January to Juli 2018 in Blanakan Ponds, Subang. Sampling was done using stratified random sampling method. Heavy metals content were analyzed using the Shimadzu 6300 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Result showed that Pluchea indica and Sesuvium portulacastrum were able to absorb heavy metals. In Pluchea indica, concentration of Zn ranged 9–28 mg/kg. The highest concentration of Zn were found in roots, concentration of Pb ranged 0.24–16 mg/kg. Concentration of Zn in Sesuvium portulacastrum ranged from 6–19 mg/kg, with highest concentration were found in roots, concentration of Pb ranged 0.55–15 mg/kg. Meanwhile, sediments of Zn content (101.27 mg/kg) > Pb (31.27 mg/kg) > Cu (10.88 mg/kg). The bioconcentration factor of Cu in Pluchea indica was > 1 in all of the plant parts (roots, stems and leaves), while Sesuvium portulacastrum was only high in roots. Translocation factors higher than 1 were mostly found in Pluchea indica than Sesuvium portulacastrum. It is important to study the possibility of Pluchea indica as bioindicator and accumulator of heavy metals.