PJB-2019-673
COASTAL POLLUTION EFFECT BY MERCURY METAL ON THE GROWTH OF MANGROVE Rhizophora apiculata SEEDLINGS UNDER EXPERIMENTAL CONDITION
Kangkuso Analuddin
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the growth ability of mangrove seedlings of Rhizhophora apiculata under various levels pollution of mercury metal at experimental condition and to elucidate the effect of coastal pollution by mercury metal on mangrove ecosystem. This experiment study was conducted from April to September 2018 at Laboratory of Marine and Wetland Ecology, Halu Oleo University. The three types of treatments were performed including control (0 mg/L of mercury), and treatments with mercury concentration of 0.1 mg/L and 1 mg/L, respectively. Six individuals of R. apiculata seedlings were planted in each treatment. The growth parameters of R. apiculata seedlings including height, stem diameter and leaf area were measured twice a week, while carbon and nitrogen contents and dry weight were analyzed after seedlings harvested. The data were analyzed statistically by One-way Anova and advanced LSD (Least Significant Difference) test. The results showed that the growth parameters of R. apiculata seedlings such as, leaf area, height, stem diameter and biomass grown on treatment without mercury metal and 0.1 mg/L mercury metal were much better than treatment of 1 mg/L mercury metal indicating negatively impact of coastal pollution by mercury metal on mangroves. However, the C/N ratio in leaves of R. apiculata seedlings grown without mercury metal and mercury metal of 0.1 mg/L ranged from 18-25% indicating nice mineralization of nutrients, but it was less than 15% when they grown at treatment of 1 mg/L mercury indicating inhibition of nutrients by mercury metal. Thus, higher concentration of mercury metal pollution in coastal area affect the growth and development of R. apiculata seedlings, and therefore, coastal pollution by heavy metals could be harmful for the health and the sustainability of mangrove ecosystem.
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