Pollution Assessment and Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals on Sediment and Leaves of Enhalus acoroides in Pahawang Island
Rozirwan1*, Ariqoh Athallah Gusri2, Yoga Winarta2 Wike Ayu Eka Putri1, Melki1, Isnaini1, Redho Yoga Nugroho1, Nadila Nur Khotimah3,4

1Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sriwijaya. Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km. 32, Ogan Ilir 30862, South Sumatra, Indonesia
2Program of Environmental Management, Graduate Program, Universitas Sriwijaya. Jl. Padang Selasa No. 524, Palembang 30139, South Sumatra, Indonesia
3Doctoral Program of Environmental Science, Postgraduate Program, Universitas Sriwijaya, Jl. Padang Selasa Bukit Besar, Palembang 30139, Indonesia
4Program Study of Aquatic Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, Universitas Islam Ogan Komering Ilir, Kayuagung, Indonesia

Abstract

Seagrass ecosystems play a significant role as environmental bioindicators by accumulating heavy metals within their tissues. This study aimed to assess the accumulation potential and pollution levels of heavy metals in leaf of Enhalus acoroides and the surrounding sediments. Samples were collected from the leaves of E. acoroides and sediment from two locations, Jeralangan and Cukuh Nyai on Pahawang Island, Lampung, Indonesia. The heavy metals analyzed include Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn, using the wet destruction method and measured with a Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) was used to determine the accumulation levels, while the Metal Pollution Index (MPI) was applied to measure pollution levels. The highest heavy metal concentration in the sediment was Zn at Station 1, with a concentration of 15.494 mg/kg, while the highest metal concentration in seagrass leaves was Cu at 7.789 mg/kg. The findings revealed that the BCF was below 1, except for Cu at Station 1, where it exceeded 1, indicating E. acoroides^ potential as both a bioindicator and hyperaccumulator. The MPI values were above 1 in both E. acoroides leaves and sediments at Station 1, suggesting ongoing environmental degradation. Conversely, Station 2 showed MPI values below 1, indicating minimal contamination. While the MPI cannot be used as a definitive indicator due to the absence of specific threshold classifications, it serves as a useful tool for monitoring future environmental pollution and informing environmental management strategies.

Keywords: Accumulation, bioindicator, heavy metal, hyperaccumulator, pollution

Topic: Environmental Sciences