Role Of Mangroves Research Articles

Kajian Dampak Restorasi Mangrove Terhadap Sosial Ekonomi Masyarakat Desa Teluk Pambang Kecamatan Bantan Kabupaten Bengkalis Provinsi Riau

Restoring degraded mangrove ecosystems is crucial in order to enhance the sustainability of coastal ecosystem environments, conserve biodiversity, and provide social, economic, and environmental benefits to communities. The objective of this research is to examine how mangrove restoration activities can contribute positively to the socio-economic livelihoods of the community in Teluk Pambang, Bengkalis Regency. The study was conducted using a descriptive qualitative approach and implemented in early November 2023. Data was collected in multiple ways, such as observation and documentation. The results showed that mangrove restoration activities provided several impacts. First, it was good for increasing community knowledge and understanding of the function and role of mangroves in coastal conservation efforts. After that, it enhanced community empowerment through the formation of agricultural groups such as Belukap and Langgadai, with 62.50% of group members actively participating in restoration activities from land clearing to planting stages. Finally, mangrove restoration activities conducted in Teluk Pambang village contributed positively to increasing the income of community members. Certainly, restoration activities have been perceived as highly beneficial in helping meet the daily needs of the families of agricultural group members. Therefore, it is hoped that the mangrove restoration efforts in Teluk Pambang village can be done sustainably.

Role of Mangroves as Fishery Resource: A Systematic Review

Mangroves are valuable for their fishery resources, coastline stabilization abilities, water quality and clarity benefits, provision of habitat to economically profitable and ecologically important species, carbon sequestration services, and climate regulation capabilities. For centuries, mangroves have contributed significantly to the socioeconomic lives of coastal dwellers; especially in coastal fishery by providing nursery grounds for finfishes. Fishery resource services provided by mangrove ecosystem play an important role as the habitat, nursery ground, feeding ground, and spawning ground for various marine fish species. Despite their enormous socio-economic value and ecological significance, mangrove ecosystems are under severe threat such as large scale clearing, small scale harvesting and grazing, and industrial threats. The productivity of mangrove ecosystems has been linked to the well-being of valuable fisheries because of the role mangroves play as nursery habitat for a variety of marine and estuarine species. Many species of mangrove-related fish and crab have served the coastal communities as a natural, cheap and balanced nutritional source. Mangroves provide vital ecosystem services to coastal fishing communities through the enhancement of fisheries production. Due to their economic and ecologic significance, it is important to look to the future of these systems in the face of ‘fishery resource’ so that policy makers may act quickly to preserve and protect these ecosystems. Present review provides recent information on role of mangroves as fishery resource by studying the updated published literature and the threats faced by the mangroves. It is suggested that strategies should be prepared and rigorously implemented for the conservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystem.

Impacts and implications of anthropogenic activities on mangrove forests: A review

The purpose of this paper is to review and evaluate published literature on the causes, impacts, implications and mitigation strategies of anthropogenic activities on mangrove forests. A systematic method was utilized to access research works of literature on “Impacts and implications of anthropogenic activities on mangrove forests”. A total of fifty-three (53) research papers published between the years 1975 to 2024 was accumulated and used for this review. A subjective approach was used to select the topics: impact and implications of anthropogenic activities on mangrove forests. In this paper, five (5) roles of mangroves were assessed and presented. Anthropogenic activities that threaten mangrove forests such as land conversion, mining and logging activities and household and industrial activities were also evaluated. Further, four (4) detrimental anthropogenic activities and the potential impacts they have on natural mangrove forests and the ecosystems they thrive in was also reported on. In addition, this paper reviewed some mitigation strategies for sustainable management and conservation of our mangroves, their ecosystems and the coastlines. The published works of literature established that reduced mangrove forests, altered mangrove composition, unequal species abundance, mass mangrove mortality, pollution in mangrove areas, rising sea levels, global climate change and coastal erosion or abrasion are all effects of anthropogenic activity that have a negative impact on mangrove forests and the ecosystems. This review highlights the fact that more studies on the impact and implications of anthropogenic activities on mangroves should be done in neotropical countries since there are paucity of such information on research and published data in these biodiversity rich regions.

Blue carbon and the role of mangroves in carbon sequestration: Its mechanisms, estimation, human impacts and conservation strategies for economic incentives

Mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrasses have been recognized as blue carbon coastal ecosystems as they accommodate large carbon stocks, enable long-term carbon storage, have the capacity to control greenhouse gas emissions and possess the potential to reduce the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels. In the tropical and subtropical intertidal zones, mangroves show significant productivity and rapid deposition rates. Mangroves play an important role in capturing, transforming, and storing CO2 in the atmosphere into coastal sediments for a long time, displacing organic carbon from the coastal zone to the offshores and the ocean. Mangroves also help in preventing storms, hurricanes, coastal erosion, and tidal waves. Recently, mangroves have been threatened by natural and anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, pollution, aquaculture and tourism. They are expected to hamper their essential services, such as coastal defense, breeding grounds for aquatic organisms' seafood supply, etc. Despite the importance of mangrove forests in carbon sequestration and the numerous goods and services they offer humans, wood and non-wood forest products, food, fisheries, medicines, eco-tourism, and recreation. These mangrove ecosystems are deteriorating at alarming rates, necessitating immediate intervention. Thus, the protection, restoration and conservation of this ecosystem are gaining considerable attention from researchers across the globe. This paper provides information on different mangrove adaptations, their mechanisms, roles in the ecosystem, carbon estimation, influencing factors, threats, and conservation strategies for carbon sequestration in this invaluable coastal habitat.

Mangroves as nature-based mitigation for ENSO-driven compound flood risks in a large river delta

Abstract. Densely populated coastal river deltas are very vulnerable to compound flood risks coming from both oceanic and riverine sources. Climate change may increase these compound flood risks due to sea level rise and intensifying precipitation events. Here, we investigate to what extent nature-based flood defence strategies, through the conservation of mangroves in a tropical river delta, can contribute to mitigate the oceanic and riverine components of compound flood risks. While current knowledge of estuarine compound flood risks is mostly focussed on short-term events such as storm surges (taking 1 or a few days), longer-term events, such as El Niño events (continuing for several weeks to months) along the Pacific coast of Latin America, are less studied. Here, we present a hydrodynamic modelling study of a large river delta in Ecuador aiming to elucidate the compound effects of El Niño-driven oceanic and riverine forcing on extreme high water level propagation through the delta and, in particular, the role of mangroves in reducing the compound high water levels. Our results show that the deltaic high water level anomalies are predominantly driven by the oceanic forcing but that the riverine forcing causes the anomalies to amplify upstream. Furthermore, mangroves in the delta attenuate part of the oceanic contribution to the high water level anomalies, with the attenuating effect increasing in the landward direction, while mangroves have a negligible effect on the riverine component. These findings show that mangrove conservation and restoration programmes can contribute to nature-based mitigation, especially the oceanic component of compound flood risks in a tropical river delta.

Rehabilitasi Mangrove untuk Mendukung Perikanan Berkelanjutan dan Mitigasi Iklim di Desa Labuhan Kuris Kabupaten Sumbawa

The mangrove ecosystems in Labuhan Kuris Village, Lape Subdistrict, Sumbawa Regency are degraded. The area of mangrove ecosystems is categorized as good; it has decreased, potentially impacting the decline in fisheries' productivity, global warming, and other effects. This community service activity aims to rehabilitate mangroves through education and mangrove planting. The stages of this activity include an initial survey of community knowledge (pre-test) regarding mangroves, education and discussion sessions (talk shows), mangrove planting, and monitoring and evaluation. Meanwhile, the target audience for this activity is adult community members. Interviews using questionnaires were conducted to assess the community's initial understanding of mangroves. An educational session on the roles of mangroves was conducted by providing materials and distributing stickers about the roles of mangroves, and sessions. An evaluation of understanding levels was performed through post-tests, while monitoring and evaluation were conducted using direct observation methods in the field. Post-test results showed that 88% of the target audience understand the function of mangroves, 96% stated that mangroves ' role is to protect fish and crabs, while only 60% answered that mangroves have roles in climate mitigation. The number of participants in the educational session was 50 people. The mangrove species planted was Rhizophora sp. On this occasion, 1000 mangrove seedlings were planted, and the number of community members involved in mangrove planting was 220. Monitoring and evaluation results indicated that some plants were damaged due to trampling by livestock. Thus, mitigation was done by fencing around the planting area. Overall, the community actively participated from the beginning to the end of the activities. This condition indicates that the community is highly concerned about mangrove management. However, community participation in mangrove management should be improved.

Penanaman Mangrove untuk menjaga Pelestarian ekosistem pantai di Desa Nagalawan Kecamatan Perbaungan Kabupaten Serdang Bedagai

Mangrove forests on the coast are expected to maintain coastal stability. Mangrove trees can preserve coastal ecosystems, where it is known that one of the functions of mangroves is that they are a place for flora and fauna to live. Apart from that, mangroves also have the function of maintaining water and air quality and also function to maintain climate and weather. The role of mangroves in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem is so important, so it is appropriate for students of the agricultural faculty of the Agrotechnology study program to take an active role in preserving mangrove forests. It is hoped that in the future this will continue for other coastal areas in the North Sumatra region to maintain the stability of the coastal ecosystem

Identifikasi Biota Asosiasi Pada Mangrove Jenis Avicennia spp. dan Sonneratia spp. di Pantai Laksamana Kabupaten Batu Bara

Mangroves are one of the most important natural ecosystems. Mangroves physically function as land protection areas against the impact of abrasion and erosion due to waves. In terms of chemistry, mangroves act as filters for pollutants, especially organic materials, and as an energy source that provides detritus, which is a food source for aquatic organisms. Aquatic biota that live in mangrove areas include mollusks, crabs, fish, oysters, and shrimp. In addition, the role of mangroves is very significant in maintaining the productivity of waters in coastal areas and supporting the lives of surrounding communities. The purpose of this study is to identify biota whose lives are associated with mangroves of Avicennia spp. and Sonneratia spp. The method used in this study is exploration. The location of the transect is made based on the purposive sampling method, where data is taken deliberately based on the abundance of biota and mangroves of the species Avicennia spp. and Sonneratia spp. The types of biota associations Nerita polita, Turritella attenuata, Chicoreus sp., Mytilus edulis, Geloina expansa, Scylla tranquebarica, Leptuca uruguayensis, Aratus pisonii, and Lepas balanoides. Mangroves associated with the above biota are from the types of Sonneratia alba and Avicennia marina.

The Impact of Mangrove Restoration on the Social Economy of the Community of Batu Panjang Village, Rupat Island, Riau Province

Mangrove restoration is an effort to restore degraded mangrove ecosystems with the aim of increasing environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and providing social and economic benefits for the community. This research aims to determine the extent to which mangrove restoration can influence the socio-economic life of the community in Batu Panjang Village, Bengkalis Regency. The research method used is descriptive qualitative by systematically analyzing and processing data based on the results of observations and interviews with farmer groups, village officials and stakeholders in Batu Panjang Village. The results of this research show that restoration activities provide (1) a positive impact on increasing community knowledge and understanding regarding the function and role of mangroves in coastal area conservation efforts, (2) community empowerment has been carried out by forming a farmer group, namely the Jeram Batu Panjang (JBP) group and the STYA group which plays a role from the land clearing stage, to the planting stage, (3) but has not yet provided/shown a significant impact in increasing income which will affect the social and economic conditions of the community in Batu Panjang Village, Rupat District. This is shown by the research results that the income earned by the community from mangrove restoration activities from the land clearing stage to the planting stage is only around IDR 475,000 on average, still far below the Bengkalis Regency Minimum Wage of IDR 3,599,029.72.

The spatial patterns and driving mechanisms of blue carbon ‘loss’ and ‘gain’ in a typical mangrove ecosystem: A case study of Beihai, Guangxi Province of China

The role of mangroves in carbon sequestration is critical in mitigating climate change. For better identifying the carbon conservation hotspots of mangroves influenced by environmental factors, the spatial distribution and driving mechanisms of mangrove vegetation and soil carbon sequestration, as well as the future carbon dynamics of mangroves, required clarification. Firstly, we assessed the spatial pattern of vegetation biomass and soil depth-varied soil total organic carbon (TOC) in Xiaoguansha, Guangxi Province of China, and its relationships with duration of inundation (DTI) were explored. Additionally, the carbon storage capacity of adjacent mangrove tidal flats as potential carbon reservoirs was quantified. Thirdly, freshwater, and nutrient inputs, biotic factors of mangrove, and soil composition were selected as impact factors, and their mechanisms in carbon sequestration were elucidated by using Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM). Finally, medium values of environmental factors on mangrove carbon sequestration were revealed, based on which future loss and gain patterns of carbon sequestration under the combined effects were fully discussed. The results showed that: (1) The Above-ground biomass (AGB) and TOC densities were 32.89 Mg C/ha and 185.10 Mg C/ha in the study area, and both were enriched in the Interior areas. The carbon sequestration in the tidal flats was equivalented to >1/5 of total carbon sequestration of mangroves. (2) DTI was the most critical factor affecting the carbon sequestration pattern and was found to be positive correlated with AGB and TOC via changing soil contents (SC), whereas it exhibits a negative correlation with AGB and TOC through influencing canopy density (CD). CD and TP were identified as significant predictors. (3) Median analysis indicated that future carbon ‘gain’ area will move nearshore, whereas the carbon-rich intertidal area may undergo carbon loss. This study provided new insights and scientific understanding for management of mangrove blue carbon function.

The role of mangroves in coastal flood protection: The importance of channelization

The historical, present, and projected future risk of coastal flooding necessitates measures to protect coastal communities and environments, including using natural defences such as mangroves. Estimates of extent of flood protection provided by mangrove forests range widely, probably because of differences in growth characteristic of trees combined with variations in local geomorphology in each case study site. Here we use a Delft3D model of a mangrove forest in Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand, with vegetation flow resistance parameterized by frontal area, as a basis of idealized scenarios designed to explore and generalize the impact of channels, vegetation density, and forest slope on long wave (surge/tide) attenuation. Previous models often parameterise the frictional effect of mangroves with high bottom friction, which we show using theoretical arguments, becomes increasingly problematic with larger amplitude flood events. However, the contorted forms of the shrubby Avicenna mangroves at the field site necessitate new ways to quantify vegetation density more accurately for modelling. Nevertheless, modelling experiments show that vegetation distribution and channelization have a greater impact on flood attenuation than vegetation density, with large events resulting in less attenuation than smaller events due to the increased hydraulic efficiency associated with increased water depth. Additionally, a forest with sloping topography reduces the rate at which long wave attenuation occurs. Implications are that mangroves can only be effective coastal flood protection if the larger scale (forest-scale) distribution of vegetation also contributes to reducing the landward flow of water.

Willingness to pay for mangrove restoration to reduce the climate change impacts on ecotourism in Rekawa coastal wetland, Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT This study investigates tourist preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for restoration of mangroves to reduce the effects of climate change (CC) on ecotourism at Rekawa coastal wetland, Sri Lanka, using a double bounded discrete choice elicitation format in a contingent valuation method. The survey also included socio-economic, demographic, and attitudinal characteristics of respondents. The results reveal that domestic and foreign tourists on average were willing to pay 2.65 USD and 11.4 USD per person, respectively, for mangrove restoration in Rekawa wetland. Among socio-demographic variables, education, age, and occupation had a significant effect on WTP. Furthermore, we show that foreign respondents with greater trust in the role of mangroves in mitigating the impacts of CC on sea turtles, and domestic tourists who believed effects of mangrove restoration in reducing the future vulnerability of urban expansion, were willing to pay more for the proposed mangrove restoration fund. Based on tourists’ preferences and WTP for mangrove protection, our results support the establishment of an environmental protection fund from the collection of tourists’ entrance fees using a dual pricing strategy, and the use of the funds for planting mangroves, patrolling mangrove areas to prevent illegal activities, and promoting nature-based tourism activities.

Resident Perceptions and Parcel-Level Performance Outcomes of Mangroves, Beaches, and Hardened Shorelines After Hurricane Irma in the Lower Florida Keys

Hurricanes have large and lasting effects along coastlines, representing one of the deadliest and costliest natural hazards. Among the rapidly growing literature on the impacts of hurricanes, an increasing topic of interest is the potential role of mangroves, and other coastal habitats, as nature-based strategies (NBS) for coastal defense. In addition to coastal protection, NBS have been shown to provide many ecological, economic, and social co-benefits. However, few studies have assessed coastal resident perceptions or residential-scale performance of NBS, particularly in the wake of major hurricanes. Through a survey of 288 residents of the Lower Florida Keys 1 year after Hurricane Irma, this paper describes hurricane impacts on mangroves, beaches, and hardened shorelines. Specifically, we measured perceptions of shoreline damage and shoreline effectiveness for coastal protection at the community- and parcel-levels. At the parcel scale, we also measured performance outcomes through the cost to repair or replace residential shorelines. At both community- and parcel-levels, beaches were perceived as the most damaged shoreline type, followed by mangroves, and then hardened shorelines as the least damaged. Specifically at the parcel-level, repair actions were not taken by many residents with a hardened shoreline (43.2%) due to their shoreline receiving no damage. However, when repair actions were taken, the average cost to repair or replace parcel-level mangroves ($64.33 (USD) ± SE 58.08 per meter) was less than hardened shorelines ($105.14 (USD) ± SE 38.57 per meter). Additionally, 44% of residents reported that no repair or recovery actions were needed after the storm for damaged mangroves, whereas when hardened structures were damaged, many required at least minor repairs (29.5%). Mangroves were also perceived as the most effective shoreline for storm protection (54% very to extremely effective) at the community-level. Our findings indicate local community-level awareness of the storm protective properties mangroves provide but also display a disconnect between perceptions and performance outcomes at parcel scales. Although mangroves cost less to repair and are perceived as the most effective at storm protection, the majority of Florida Keys residents own hardened shorelines. Considering the diverse co-benefits mangroves provide and the local support mangroves have, their conservation and restoration could be well-supported for coastal adaptation.

Growth and physiological response of Kandelia obovata and Bruguiera sexangula seedlings to aluminum stress

The role of mangroves as a biogeochemical buffer for heavy metal pollutants in coastal wetlands has been demonstrated, but knowledge gaps still exist on the tolerant capacity of mangroves to aluminum (Al). This study assessed the growth and physiological response of viviparous mangroves Kandelia obovata and Bruguiera sexangula to Al stress. The two mangrove seedlings were treated with AlCl3 at concentrations of 0 (as control) to 100 mmol L−1, and the impact of Al on their growth and antioxidant parameters were determined. Additionally, the accumulation and translocation of metal elements were estimated in B. sexangula seedlings under relative long-term Al stress. K. obovata appeared to survive with a tolerance potential of 10 mmol L−1 AlCl3, whereas B. sexangula had a higher tolerant ability of 50 mmol L−1 AlCl3. Both root elongation and seedling growth were inhibited by Al stress. The exposure to 25–100 mmol L−1 AlCl3 induced increases in membrane lipid peroxidation and osmoprotectant molecule (proline) in mangrove seedlings. Both mangrove seedlings revealed significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities that were attributed to Al stress-induced oxidative damages. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and/or ascorbate peroxidase were differently impacted by the treatment time (7 days for short term versus 60 days for long term) and AlCl3 concentrations in K. obovata and B. sexangula seedlings. For B. sexangula seedlings, Al accumulation was in an order root > leaf > stem, whereas the translocation of metal elements in the aboveground tissues (leaf and stem) was differently impacted by Al stress. In conclusion, this study provides insights into different Al-tolerant abilities operated in two mangrove species that are widespread in coastal wetlands of China.

The Protective Role of Mangroves in Safeguarding Coastal Populations Through Hazard Risk Reduction

The Protective Role of Mangroves in Safeguarding Coastal Populations Through Hazard Risk Reduction

Valuation of Mangrove Direct Benefit in Jerowaru District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara

Mangroves have various functions and roles, both economic and ecological. In Jerowaru District, East Lombok Regency, the function and role of mangroves are economically and ecologically beneficial, but their value has not been measured. This study aims to determine the valuation of direct benefits of mangroves in Jerowaru District, East Lombok Regency. The approach taken in determining the economic value of mangrove products and services is financial analysis and economic analysis. In financial analysis, a direct approach is used, namely by using market values for marketed commodities and determining the value of substitutes for goods and services that are not marketed. While in the economic analysis, the shadow price or accounting price, namely the value adjusted in such a way as to describe the true value of mangrove goods and services. The results showed that the value of the direct benefit of mangroves in the study area was ± IDR 88.162.750/ha/year. Valuation of the value of direct benefits of mangroves at the location comes from mangrove products and services in the form of firewood and charcoal products, construction wood, capture fisheries products, fish and shrimp larvae stocks, wildlife, preservatives and dyes, food ingredients, and medicines, animal feed, salt, recreation, and tourism, as well as education and research.

ADDITIONAL DATA ON SPECIES COMPOSITION OF FISH IN TIEN HAI WETLAND NATURE RESERVE, THAI BINH PROVINCE

Mangrove forests are important for many fish species, but this information is still poorly understood in Vietnam. Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve is located in the core areas of the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, where mangrove forests are presented. To provide fundamental data for a better understanding of the role of mangroves for fishes, three surveys in March, July, and August 2019 at 5 stations within Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve were conducted. A total of 817 individuals were collected and 65 species belonging to 54 genera, 28 families of 11 orders were identified. Of the 11 orders, Perciformes was the most diverse in a number of families, and Gobiiformes was dominant in the number of species. Of the 65 species, three were listed in Vietnam Red Data Book (2007), i.e., Bostrychus sinensis as CR level, Clupanodon thrissa as EN level, Konosirus punctatus as VU level, and an invasive alien species (Oreochromis mossambicus). The present study added 15 species to the study site and 10 fish to the lowland of the Red River in comparison with previous works. In the additional list, there were some typical species, which are associated with mangrove forests, such as Escualosa thoracata, Muraenichthuys gymnopterus, and 17 species of gobies. The ichthyofauna in Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve was different from Phu Long mangrove forests (in Hai Phong), and significantly different from Van Uc estuary (in Hai Phong) and Bung Binh Thien wetland (in An Giang). These findings will be valuable for fish conservation and fisheries resources development in the study area.

Storage and recycling of major and trace element in mangroves

The role of mangroves in sequestering metal and nutrients in sediment has been described in the past, but knowledge gaps still exist on storage capacity and recycling fluxes of elements in plant biomass, notably concerning their magnitude in root uptake and loss by litterfall. This study addresses the storage and transport pathways of 16 elements, classified as macro-nutrients (Ca, Mg, Na, K), micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mo), and potential toxicants (Al, Cd, Sn, Pb) in the world's largest mangroves, the Sundarbans. Elemental concentrations in plant organs were generally lower than in the sediment. The stock of macro and micro-nutrients in plant biomass varied from 60 to 2717 and 0.003 to 37.7 Mg ha−1 respectively, with highest values observed for Na and lowest for Cd. The Avicennia species exhibited the maximal accumulation of all elements. Translocation of major elements to different plant organs increased with increasing their concentrations in the sediment. Elemental loss via litterfall indicated that Sundarbans mangrove could act as a source, particularly of Mn, to the Bay of Bengal. Moreover, belowground uptake of the 16 elements showed 2–3 fold higher fluxes than their loss via litterfall. There was a significant retention of some trace elements (notably Mo, Cd, and Sn) in plant biomass, which might allow one to use these mangroves for phytoremediation and restoration purposes. We conclude that mangroves efficiently store and remobilize major and trace elements from the sediments by root uptake and recycle back to sediment surface via litterfall.

Can mangroves work as an effective phytoremediation tool for pesticide contamination? An interlinked analysis between surface water, sediments and biota

Mangroves are a unique group of plants growing along tropical and sub-tropical coastlines, with the ability to remove several types of contaminants such as heavy metals and other persistent organic compounds in coastal waters. However, little attention has been given to the possible role of mangroves in the removal of organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) from the environment. Used worldwide, these pesticides were banned in the late 80s, withal they can still be quantified in aquatic environments due to their high stability. Moreover, as persistent and lipophilic compounds, OCPs are known for their tendency to bioaccumulate and biomagnify through the food chain, affecting local ecosystems, and potentially human health. This work aimed to investigate the potential benefits of mangrove ecosystems as OCP phytoremediators. For this purpose, a total of seventy-three articles from non-mangrove and mangrove areas around the world were gathered, integrated and re-analysed as a whole. These data include information from four different matrices (water, sediment, benthic fauna and mangrove plants). A common trend of less pesticide contamination in mangrove areas was observed for all the selected matrices. As a complement, average concentrations were discussed considering International Directives, such as the European legislation 2013/39/EU for water policy and the Dutch List together with the International Sediment Quality Guideline, for sediments. Additionally, theoretical risk assessments were also included. Since information regarding OCPs in mangroves ecosystem is very scarce compared to non-mangrove areas, this review provides valuable insights regarding these environments, and the importance of preserving them as a relevant remediation unit.

The effects of heavy metals on the anatomical structures of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh

Anatomical changes observed in a mangrove plant, Avicenna marina, were studied with special reference to heavy metal pollution at Visakhapatnam Meghadrigedda creek area. The pollution in the region was very well reported to have been caused by the port activities and also by several major industries abutting the Meghadrigedda creek area. The concentrations of heavy metals, namely copper, chromium, cadmium, manganese, zinc, and lead, were determined using ICP-MS techniques. The heavy metal concentrations are more in sediments than in the native soils, whereas when focused on the role of mangroves, especially in Avicenna marina species, plants, exposed to higher concentrations, exhibited anatomical variations in the xylem of the stem and leaves also. The stem internal structure showed a xerophytic adaptation, with a thick cuticle, thick-walled cortex with an appearance as stone cells. The mainly noticeable characteristics are moist leaves, with expanded mesophyll area, thick cuticle with wax deposition shown on the epidermis. At lower concentrations, these changes did not exist. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) had been calculated to estimate the efficiency of a plant to accumulate heavy metals from sediment to its roots and translocate the heavy metals from its roots to its stems and leaves, in observed anatomical changes at higher concentrated area plants.