ICP- AAS Analysis for Heavy Metals in Avicennia officinalis

In the present study, heavy metal pollution and accumulation was investigated in an important mangrove plant, Avicennia officinalis grown in the polluted sites of Kanjurmarg creek, Mumbai. This creek is a location of discharge of influent and waste of some domestic industries. The analysis was done in leaves and stem of the plant as well as in water and soil for the heavy metals like Zinc ( Zn), Copper (Cu), Lead(Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy to trace out the extent of their deposition. The results obtained indicated the presence of Zn in exceeding limit of MLRL thereby alerting high environmental risk. Cu, Pb was detected below the permissible limit. Cadmium detected below the quantity MLRL level however; Arsenic was not detected in any sample. The bioaccumulation of Zn was estimated as 7.091 ppm in the stem. The leaf of Avicennia officinalis indicates 0.196 ppm quantity in the sample. The polluted soil showed 4.607 ppm of Zn content whereas in polluted water sample it was 0.002 ppm. No content of Cu and Pb were traced in the polluted water. The highest estimate for Cu was observed as 1.248 ppm in Stem, 0.034 ppm in the leaves and 1.618 ppm in polluted soil. The Pb content was 0.481 ppm in stem, 0.03 ppm in the leaves and 1.21ppm in polluted soil. From present studies it is confirm that Avicennia officinalis shows accumulation of Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. The estimate of Zn indicated exceeding level of content when compared with MLRL (Maximum Level Recommended for Livestock) limit and rest of heavy metals below the MLRL. From study it is confirmed that heavy metal concentrations in the studied plant indicates toxic level of the food chain contamination related to Zinc. © 2015 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved