Avicennia schaueriana as a highly efficient accumulator for Manganese in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil

In this study, we analyzed toxic metals in leaves and marine sediment samples from the black mangrove in Sepetiba Bay to measure contamination and the use of Avicennia schaueriana leaves as bioindicator of toxic metal environmental pollution. The concentrations of heavy metals, namely cadmium (Cd), chrome (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn), were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). High concentrations of Mn were found in the leaves, while high concentrations of Mo and Zn were found in sediments. A. schaueriana leaves showed a tremendous capacity to absorb toxic metals, tolerating high concentration of manganese and may be used as phytoremediator for this toxic metal in impacted coastal marine environments. Herein, we reported for the first time the utilization of Avicennia schaueriana as a highly efficient accumulator for Mn.

Automated summary

This study analyzed toxic metals in black mangrove leaves and marine sediment samples to measure contamination levels and demonstrate the potential of Avicennia schaueriana leaves as bioindicators of environmental pollution. The research found high concentrations of manganese in the leaves and suggested that A. schaueriana can be used as a phytoremediator for this toxic metal in impacted coastal environments. The study reported the first utilization of Avicennia schaueriana as an efficient accumulator for manganese.