Toxicologie environnementale et analytique

A Preliminary Exploration of Heavy Metal Contamination within Aviccenia marina in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Mariam Al Hosani and Fatme Al Anouti

Mangrove forests within the United Arab Emirates are being heavily exposed to anthropogenic contaminants due to pollution and urbanization. However, there is very limited research pertaining to this subject and the extent to which such mangroves can take up and store heavy metals is still unclear. In this research study, the concentrations of zinc, copper, lead and chromium in the grey mangrove Avicennia marina were measured. Samples were taken from five different sites within the capital city and tested using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS) for the presence of heavy metals. The total concentrations of selected heavy metals in the mangrove leaves were compared to the general heavy metal concentration for plant. The general heavy metal concentration for plant was based on the heavy metals concentrations measured in the mature leaf tissue of various plant species. The comparison showed that the total concentrations did not exceed the general concentration. Nevertheless, the fact that the leaves which are the least bioaccumulative part of the mangrove warrants further investigation over a longer period of time and sampling from roots and sediments to determine whether heavy metal contamination within the mangrove ecosystem is a possibility.