Heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in Rocky Shore organisms from the coast of Terengganu

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.