Effects of salinity on the uptake of lead and cadmium by two mangrove species Rhizophora apiculata Bl. and Avicennia alba Bl.

The uptake of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by Rhizophora apiculata and Avicennia alba under various salinity levels was examined using hydroponic cultivations. After 3 months of exposure at four levels of Pb (0, 0.03, 0.3 and 3mg.L-1) and four levels of Cd (0, 0.005; 0.05 and 0.5 mg.L-1) at different salinities (0, 15 and 30), uptake of the metals was shown to be differently affected by salinity. For uptake of Pb by R. apiculata, the salinity effect was not significant for the leaves and was most significant in the stem, whereas for A. alba, the effect of salinity was significant only in the stem. Uptake of Pb in the roots and stems of both species was similar, but a higher concentration was recorded in the leaves of A. alba. Salinity was shown to affect the uptake of Cd by all tissues of R. apiculata, but most significantly roots. For A. alba, salinity significantly affects the total uptake of Cd, but this is most significant in the roots. The two mangrove species demonstrated different mechanisms of metal distribution into their organs which may be related to different adaptation mechanisms to saline conditions.