Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, vol: 40,2 (2017)
Translocation and elimination of Cu in Avicennia marina
Martuti N.K.T., Widianarko B., Yulianto B.
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution is a big problem in the aquaculture sector. Phytoremediation is one of the innovative approach to clean up the polluted water. The purpose of this research was to study the translocation of heavy metal (Cu), and its elimination using the mangrove plant, Avicennia marina. The study was conducted in Tapak Tugurejo, a coastal area in the northern part of Semarang City, Indonesia, where the water was polluted by heavy metals discharge (Cu) from industries nearby, at the upstream of the Tapak River. Samples of A. marina parts (roots, leaves, litter), sediment and water were collected and analysed to determine total Cu concentration. Results showed the plants of A. marina has the ability to translocate Cu metal in their tissues, respectively Cu concentrations in litter > leaf > root. Therefore, litter has the ability to eliminate metals in the environment through the defoliation process. The results also showed that Concentration Factor (CF) of Cu between water and sediment was 500.5 to 897.7, while the Bio Concentration Factor (BCF) between sediment and roots was in the range of 0.03 to 0.13. The Translocation Factor (TF) in roots and leaves ranged between 0.4 and 1.1. Hence, translocation of Cu metals was evident in the roots and leaves of A. marina, and the absorbed Cu was then eliminated via the litter. © Universiti Putra Malaysia Press.
Keyword: Avicennia marina; Cu; Elimination; Litter; Translocation