IMIS | Lifewatch regional portal

You are here

IMIS

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Distribution of mercury in sediments, plant and animal tissues in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia
Wolswijk, G.; Satyanarayana, B.; Dung, L.Q.; Siau, Y.F.; Bin Ali, A.N.; Saliu, I.S.; Bin Fisol, M.A.; Gonnelli, C.; Dahdouh-Guebas, F. (2020). Distribution of mercury in sediments, plant and animal tissues in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia. J. Hazard. Mater. 387: 121665. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121665
In: Journal of hazardous materials. Elsevier: Amsterdam; Lausanne; New York; Oxford; Shannon; Tokyo. ISSN 0304-3894; e-ISSN 1873-3336, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
Author keywords
    Mangrove sediment; Toxic elements; Pollution; Rhizophora; Hgpartitioning; Fauna

Authors  Top 
  • Wolswijk, G., more
  • Satyanarayana, B., more
  • Dung, L.Q.
  • Siau, Y.F.
  • Bin Ali, A.N.
  • Saliu, I.S., more
  • Bin Fisol, M.A.
  • Gonnelli, C., more
  • Dahdouh-Guebas, F., more

Abstract
    Charcoal production activities at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Peninsular Malaysia have a potential to emit volatile compounds such as Hg back into the ambient environment, raising concerns on the public health and safety. The present study was aimed at analyzing Hg concentration from different plant/animal tissues and sediment samples (in total 786 samples) to understand clearly the Hg distribution at the MMFR. Leaves of Rhizophora spp. showed higher Hg concentration with an increasing trend from young, to mature, to senescent and decomposing stages, which was possibly due to accumulation of Hg over time. The low Hg concentration in Rhizophora roots and bark suggests a limited absorption from the sediments and a meagre accumulation/partitioning by the plant tissue, respectively. In the case of mangrove cockles the concentration of Hg was lower than the permissible limits for seafood consumption. Although the mangrove gastropod - Cassidula aurisfelis Bruguière had rather elevated Hg in the muscle tissue, it is still less than the environmental safely limit. Beside the chances of atmospheric deposition for Hg, the sediment samples were found to be unpolluted in nature, indicating that in general the MMFR is still safe in terms of Hg pollution.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors