Jason Audrey P. Licerio, Vanessa Aura T. Yunque (March 2011)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Leas is a toxic heavy metal can cause health deterioration among living things exposed to it when released into the environment, and one way it can is through oils spills. Mangroves, as coastal frontliners, are first to be hit. Although mangroves accumulate lead into their system they are resilient to the negative health effects of the metal. This study aimed to determine the bioaccumulation of lead in two common species of mangrove (R. stylosa and R. apiculata) to see their effectiveness in sequestering the metal from the environment. Root samples analyzed for lead content using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) showed that in Brgy. Lawi (without oil), the lead bioaccumulation of both species were relatively the same. In conditions wherein there was a sudden addition of lead into the environment, R. stylosa (0.1064+-0.005 ug Pb/g dry weight) accumulated relatively more lead compared to R. apiculata (0.0648+-0.01 ug Pb/g dry weight). Although that was the case, the amount R. stylosa accumulated in Brgy. Lapaz was almost the same than what it could take up in normal conditions (0.0928+-0.002 ug Pb/g dry weight), while R. apiculata’s bioaccumulation was lower in Brgy. Lapaz compared to Lawi(0.1071+-0.01 ug Pb/g dry weight). Upon analysis, the geographical location of the mangroves could be a major factor for their accumulation of lead. Aside from being sources of lumber and spawning grounds for fish, certain species of mangroves can be considered probable phytoremediators as they lessen the threat of lead exposure for other living things in the area.
Keywords: bioaccumulation, magrove, Rhizophora stylosa, Rhizophora apiculata, lead