Monitoring the Impacts of Red Soil Runoff along the Matafa’a Mangrove Conservation Area in Samoa

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of red soil contamination in the mangrove area around Matafa’a Mangrove Conservation Area in Samoa. Ten soil samples were collected from December 2011 – August 2012 on the monthly basis. The pH, Fe, Olsen P and nitrogen (N) contents were determined. Results showed a significant level of Fe content (4.50-41.3 mg/kg), Olsen P (0.03-0.44 mg/L) and nitrogen (0.02-0.29 mg/L), while the pH ranged from 1.40 to 8.90. The results demonstrated that all sites are contaminated with acidic soil which is a common characteristic of red soil contamination which poses a threat to the health of coastal ecosystem including mangroves in Samoa.