The use of Ipomoea pes-caprae plant species to monitor metal pollutions of the coastal soil

Abstract

In this study, biomonitoring technique was applied to evaluate metals pollution at selected beach site. Ipomoea pes-caprae species were used to monitor the concentration level of lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), barium (Ba), and zinc (Zn). Besides studying the ability and effectiveness of this plant as biological indicators of metal pollution in beach areas, the study also aimed to characterize the possible contributors of the metals in the area. The selected plants were collected along the coastal areas of Balok, in Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia. The study area is directly connected to the fish landing jetty of the local residents. The samples were collected at six sampling stations along the polluted shoreline area in two seasons, premonsoon and post-monsoon; and were duplicated. The metal content in the Ipomoea pescaprae was considered as the indicator of environmental pollution in the coastal area. Significant differences of metal concentrations were found in samples collected from different sampling stations with certain levels. A comparison of the metal contents to the control samples clearly proved that the area has been polluted with the studied metals. In general, lower metals concentrations were found in post-monsoon samples compared to pre-monsoon samples. The concentration of metal Al was found to be the highest in the plant samples; The plant samples were contained the highest concentration of metal Al; followed by Fe, Zn, Ba, and Pb. Based on the EF values, it is strongly suggested that all the metals uptake were via the root system. The results of the PCA clearly indicated that the elements of Al, Fe, and Ba were contributed by the soil origin; meanwhile the elements of Pb and Zn were correlated to anthropogenic sources.