Assessment of Green-Lipped Mussel Perna Viridis (Linnaeus) As a Biomonitoring Agent of Cadmium, Copper, Mercury, Lead and Zinc for the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
Sediment samples (46 sites) and green-lipped mussels Perna viridis (L.) (19 sites) from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were sampled between 1998 and 2001 and were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. The mean levels of the metals in the west coast (offshore: intertidal) sediments were 0.75...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2003
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9609/1/FSAS_2003_59_IR.pdf |
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| Summary: | Sediment samples (46 sites) and green-lipped mussels Perna viridis (L.) (19 sites) from
the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia were sampled between 1998 and 2001 and were
analyzed for Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn. The mean levels of the metals in the west coast
(offshore: intertidal) sediments were 0.75 ± 0.06 : 0.86 ± 0.11 µg/g dry weight (dw) for
Cd, 4.27 ± 0.36 : 29.22 ± 8.84 µg/g dw for Cu, 38.87 ± 2.93 : 60.10 ± 9.47 µg/g dw for
Hg, 17.36 ± 0.99 : 23.32 ± 3.39 µg/g dw for Pb and 37.22 ± 2.01 : 84.64 ± 12.62 µg/g dw
for Zn. The metal levels in the soft tissues (ST) of P. viridis were found to be 0.25-1.35
µg/g dw for Cd, 6.31-20.21 µg/g dw for Cu, 20.00-152.00 µg/g dw for Hg, 1.27-8.76
ug/g dw for Pb and 53.82-135.50 µg/g dw for Zn. All these metal levels were relatively
low in comparison with previously published regional data. In general, the metal levels
were higher in the intertidal sediment than in the offshore sediment. Geochemical studies
in the sediments revealed that about 58.6 : 57.7% for Cd, 53.3 : 46.3% for Cll, 72.6 :
54.3% for Pb and 34.5 : 48.7% for Zn, in the offshore and intertidal sediments,
respectively, were most likely due to anthropogenic sources. Localized elevations of heavy metals in a few locations indicated that the offshore and intertidal areas of the west
coast of Peninsular Malaysia were likely to have received anthropogenic metals.
By using the protein level a1lozyme approach, the genetic differentiation among the
different geographical populations of this species fell within the range for conspecific
populations. Since P. viridis populations are sedentary, widely distributed in the west
coastal area of Peninsular Malaysia and have low genetic differentiation, the species
generally is a good biomonitoring agent for heavy metals in the area. The mussel P.
viridis collected from the field also showed that the metal concentrations in its total ST
were positively and significantly (P< 0.05) correlated with Cd, eu and Pb in the
environment as represented by the sediment samples.
The suitability of P. viridis as a biomonitoring agent for heavy metals was experimentally
studied. The results of the laboratory experiments showed that the ST of P. viridis was
readily capable of accumulating heavy metals especially Cd, Pb and Hg to elevated
levels. Depuration studies also showed that the metal levels in different STs were
significantly (P< 0.05) correlated with those of the seawater. By using endpoints
mortality, filtration rate (FR) and condition index (CI), P. viridis was found to be a
sensitive but tolerant organism to Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The byssus (BYS) of P. viridis was
found to be a sensitive biomonitoring tool for Zn whereas its total shell was a good
biomonitoring material for Cd and Pb. Allozyme polymorphism of P. viridis was found
to be a potential biomarker for metal contamination. Simple indicators (aerial exposure
and shell deformities of P. viridis) for heavy metal pollution were also identified. |
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