Research Article Open Access

DEPURATION OF TRACE METALS IN TRANSPLANTED PERNA VIRIDIS FROM POLLUTED SITE AT KG PASIR PUTEH TO RELATIVELY UNPOLLUTED SITES AT KG SG MELAYU AND SG BELUNGKOR IN THE STRAITS OF JOHORE

Abstract

Green-lipped mussels Perna viridis were transplanted from a known polluted site at Kg Pasir Puteh (KPP) to two relatively unpolluted sites at Kg Sg Melayu (KSM) and Sg Belungkor (SB). Total soft tissues of mussels were determined for Ag, As, Be, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, Li, Mn, Se, Sr and V. After 6 weeks of transplantation, KPP had higher levels of Co, Cr, Hg, Sr and V if compared to KSM and SB because of the negative value in rate of depuration. As expected, the coastal waters at KSM and SB can be used for depuration of 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. Present finding revealed an unknown source of trace metal pollution at KSM and SB and future studies are much needed to understand the sources for such elevation of trace metals in the active mussel aquacultural site especially at KSM.

Y.J. EUGENE NG , C.K. YAP , M.P. ZAKARIA , A.Z. ARIS AND S.G. TAN