Heavy metal bioaccumulation in mangrove ecosystem at the coral triangle ecoregion, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study aimed to determine the role of mangroves as a biofilter of heavy metals. The concentrations of heavy metals, namely copper, mercury, cadmium, zinc, and lead, in the mangroves Rhizophora apiculata, Ceriops tagal, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Lumnitzera racemosa, Xylocarpus granatum, Sonneratia alba, and Bruguiera parviflora at RAWN Park were determined using a Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. High concentrations of Cu (83.85 μg g− 1) and Hg (0.52 μg g− 1) were found in the tissues of L. racemosa, while high concentrations of Cd (10.81 μg g− 1), Zn (70.41 μg g− 1), and Pb (1.36 μg g− 1) were found in the tissues of B. gymnorrhiza, B. parviflora and C. tagal, respectively. The translocation and bioaccumulation factors of heavy metals by mangroves showed a variety of trends, which indicated the different partitioning and uptake capability of heavy metals in the tissues of various mangrove species. Thus, maintaining high diversity of mangroves is crucial to ensure the health and productivity of coastal zones.