EFFECT OF HEAVY METAL POLLUTION ON MANGROVE (AVICENNIA MARINA) CARBON SEQUESTRATION AT MITHI RIVER

摘要

Mithi river originates from streams and spillway discharges of Tulsi, Vihar and Powai Lakes. It travels from different kinds of residential and industrial areas and finally meets the Arabian sea at Mahim creek. This area is covered with various mangrove species and a fragile ecosystem, among that Avicennia marina is the dominant and covers a maximum area of the sites. This river is more polluted, but in spite of having intensive anthropogenic pressures Avicennia marina shows the greatest adaptation to extremely arid environments. But, it is surprising to learn that such a natural fighter against pollution is constantly being affected by the rising level of heavy metal pollution. To estimate heavy metals pollution impact on mangrove and its carbon sequestration, the study site sediment and mangrove samples were analysed. Sediment is a natural sinker of various heavy metals from different pollutions (Tam FNY and Wong YS 1999). Subsequently CHNS analyzer was used for the assessment of mangrove carbon sequestration. Finally Pearson correlation method were use to understand heavy metal pollution correlation with carbon sequestration capacity. Seasonal analysis report shows that, heavy metal concentrations were highest in post monsoon followed by monsoon and least in pre monsoon season. The other hand mangrove carbon sequestration results were found in reverse pattern. So study finding proves that Mithi river study site is highly affected by heavy metal pollution and it has shown significant correlation with carbon sequestration. As a result mangrove carbon sequestration is severely affected.