Assessment of trace metal pollution in the straits of Johor by using transplanted caged mussels Perna viridis L.

In this study, mussels Perna viridis from a polluted site at Kampung Pasir Puteh (KPP) were transplanted to relatively clean site, Kampung Sungai Melayu (KSM) and Sungai Belungkor (SB) along the Straits of Johor. Zn was the metal which accumulated fastest in the transplanted mussels while Cd was the slowest. This study indicated that the byssus of Perna viridis was most effective for biomonitoring of Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn, while the shell could be used for the biomonitoring of Cu, Ni and Pb and the total soft tissue for the biomonitoring of Ni since they were able to accumulate and eliminate the respective metals well. From the depuration of the total soft tissues (TST) of mussels for 6 weeks’ time from KPP to KSM and SB, KPP had higher levels of Co, Cr, Hg, Sr and V when compared to KSM and SB. Hence, the coastal waters at KSM and SB can be used for depuration of the trace metals Co, Cr, Hg, Li, Sr and V since their levels were lower when compared to KPP population after transplantation. However, it was found that after weeks 2 and 6 of transplantation from KPP, KSM and SB had higher levels of Ag, As, Be and Se if compared to KPP. This indicated that unknown sources of trace metals pollution for Ag, As, Be and Se exist at KSM and SB. Apart from TST, the metal levels in shells were determined as well. It was found that significant (P< 0.05) decreased levels of Ag, Li and Se were found in mussels shell transplanted to KSM and SB after 2 and 6 weeks. However, significant (P< 0.05) increased levels of As, Mn, Sr and V were found in shells transplanted to KSM. When comparing between KSM and SB, decreased levels of Ag, As, Li, Mn and Sr in SB were found to be more signficant (P< 0.05) than KSM. Meanwhile there was no signficant (P> 0.05) changes for Cr, Be and Hg levels at both sites after the transplantation periods. On the other hand, TST of mussels transplanted from KSM to KPP showed increased concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Hg, Li, Be, V, Cs, Mn and Sr but not the concentrations of Ag and Se after 2 and 6 weeks of transplantation. After transplantation periods of weeks 2 and 6 to SB, the concentrations of Co, Cr, Hg, Be, V, Cs, Se, Mn and Sr decreased. This verified that SB is a suitable coastal water site for the depuration for these metals. Besides that, it was found that significant (P< 0.05) increased levels of Li, Hg and Sr in the mussels shell were found in KPP after tranplantation periods of 2 and 6 weeks. However, significant (P< 0.05) increased levels of Cs and Hg were found in SB after the transplantation. While significant (P< 0.05) decreased levels of Ag, Mn and Co were found in KPP and decreased level of As, Ag, Co, Li and Mn were found in SB after tranplantation periods of 2 and 6 weeks. Last but not least, there was no signficant (P> 0.05) changes for Be, Cr, Se and V levels for both sites after the transplantation periods. By using mussels as a biomonitor, we concluded that KPP is having the highest bioavailabilities of Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, Li, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn than KSM and SB based on the TST and shell data we obtained. However, future studies are necessary to investigate and understand the anthropogenic sources for the elevated levels of trace metals such as Ag, As, Be and Se in KSM and SB.

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