Rhizophora Apiculata on Copper and Lead Heavy Metal Substances and Their Effect on Water Quality in Belawan

Abstract

The species of mangroves Rhizophora apiculata, R. stylosa, R. mucronata and Bruguiera gymnorhyza, Avicennia marina, Sonneratia caseolaris are among several species of mangroves found in coastal areas. The existence of these mangrove species is a fortress for the coastal environment. Research on the ability of R. apiculata to accumulate heavy metals copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) and their effect on water quality, was carried out from June to September 2021. This research was conducted in Belawan, in Baristan Medan as a place for heavy metal analysis and a laboratory Department of Forest Cultivation, University of North Sumatra. Various types of mangrove plants found in coastal areas have special strategies to deal with pollution conditions from heavy metals. One of several strategies used by mangroves is to accumulate various types of heavy metals in various parts of the tree. R. apiculata is a type of mangrove that can accumulate heavy metals in roots, stems and leaves. The presence of heavy metals will reduce water quality, which in turn will decrease the overall condition of the ecosystem. How big is the ability of mangrove R. apiculata to absorb copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) and how the environmental conditions of the waters around the mangroves need to be known. Analysis of the heavy metal content of Cu and Pb in the mangrove R. apiculata showed that the heavy metal content of Cu was higher than the metal content of Pb. In the water found in the growing place of R. apiculata, it was found that the Cu content was greater than Pb. Meanwhile, the mud content where the R. apiculata mangrove grows produces heavy metal content of Cu which is smaller than the content of Pb.