Assessment of heavy metals retention in sediments and mangroves along the Saurashtra coast, Gujarat

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of heavy metal pollution on the mangrove ecosystem on the Gujarat coast, which is facing pressure due to rapid industrialization. The concentrations of 5 heavy metals, including Pb+2, Cd+2, Zn+2, Cu+2, Fe+2 and Mn+2, were measured in the sediments and tissues of 4 mangrove species, Avicennia marina (Family: Acanthaceae), Rhizophora mucronata (Family: Rhizophoraceae), Ceriops tagal (Family: Rhizophoraceae) and Aegiceras corniculatum (Family: Primulaceae), in 8 habitats along the coast of Gujarat, India. The results indicated that the sediments in the study sites had relatively high heavy metal accretion (Pb+2 > Cu+2 > Fe+2 > Zn+2 > Mn+2 > Cd+2), but A. marina selectively accumulated only Cu (3.59 ppm) and Zn (0.63 ppm), while avoiding other heavy metals. The morphology of the plants did not show any visible impact from heavy metals stress. These findings highlight the significance of comprehending how industrial pollution affects mangrove ecosystems and the potential processes by which these plants can adapt to survive in such settings. Another advantage of mangroves is their capacity to absorb pollutants from many environments. Mangrove stems play a major role in absorbing pollutants.