Abstract:
Four types of bioindicators sample obtained from seven stations of rocky shore areas
along east coast in the Terengganu State of Malaysia were used to review the status of
aquatic environment with respect to heavy metals. The objectives of this study were to
determine the distribution and level of heavy metals in the soft tissues of rocky shore
organisms, to study the relationship between size of organisms and metals content,
and to study the relationship between sampling stations and metals content. The soft
tissues of rock oysters (Saccostrea sp.), Thais sp., limpets, and barnacles were
analyzed for the content of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and
manganese (Mn) using inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). For
size and metals content relationship, bioindicators except rock oysters were selected
and vice versa for determining relationship between location of organisms and metals
content. Zn was accumulated the most in all bioindicators and barnacles dominated
the highest Zn concentration (1200.78±25.11 µgig). Significant different (p<0.05)
using ANOVA one-way for size and metals relationship occurred in all three
bioindicators with Zn in Thais sp., Cd in limpets, and all metals in barnacles.
Relationship between sampling stations and metals content produced no significant
different (p<0.05). Metals content in rock oysters were below permissible limit while
Cd, Pb, and Zn in Thais sp. and barnacles exceeding the permissible limit established
by Malaysian Food Act 1983.