Assessment of bioaccumulation potential of mangroves along the coast of Maharashtra, India using statistical indices

Abstract

Mangroves are a group of plants growing in estuarine region. These species survive well in saline environment with some adaptations in them. The members of family Avicenniaceae and Sonneratiaceae are of accumulating in nature and may bio-accumulate the pollutants from sediments and water. In order to improve the comprehensive understanding of heavy metal tolerance, the sediments and plant material (leaves) of mangroves were analyzed for heavy metals concentration from different creeks and estuaries of Maharashtra coast using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mangrove sediments were analyzed for indices such as enrichment factor, pollution load index, geo-accumulation index etc. to understand the level of pollutants. The bioaccumulation factor was also estimated to understand the bioaccumulation potential mangrove species i.e. <em>Avicennia marina </em>and <em>Sonneratia apetala</em>. The former species is commonly known as pollution tolerate, while the latter is pioneer in mangrove succession. The objectives of the study were to understand the potential of <em>S. apetala</em> in phytoremediation of heavy metals from both sediments and waste water. The mangrove sites like Kandalwada and Uran are on the borderline of pollution and needs proper protection and management.