Metal concentrations in five mangrove species of the Bhitarkanika, Orissa, east coast of India

Abstract

The study deals with metal concentrations in five mangrove species <i style="">Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera</i> <i style="">cylindrica, Ceriops decandra, </i>and<i style=""> Xylocarpus granatum</i> with regard to the heavy metals like Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and major elements like Na, K, Ca. The metallic concentrations were analysed in sediment samples collected from surrounding root zone of mangrove species and in the leaves of the same plant. <i style="">Avicennia officinalis </i>accumulated high concentrations of all the metals analysed, followed by <i style="">X. granatum</i>, <i style="">B. cylindrica</i>, <i>R. mucronata</i> and <i>C. decandra</i>. The samples collected during the monsoon period (26^th August 1996) showed high metallic concentrations than the samples of post-monsoon (10^th January 1997) and pre-monsoon (11^th April 1996) period.