UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

ECOTOXICOLOGY OF HEAVY METALS (Cd, Pb, Zn AND Cu) IN FLAT TREE OYSTERS ISOGNOMON ALATUS (GMELIN)

FROM SEPANG, MALAYSIA

KATAYONSAED

FSAS 2001 13

ECOTOXICOLOGY OF IlEA VY METALS (Cd, Pb, Zn AND Cu) IN FLAT TREE OYSTERS ISOGNOMON ALATUS (GMELIN)

FROM SEP ANG, MALAYSIA

By

KATAYON SAED

Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies

Universiti P utra Malaysia

May 2001

Dedicated to .•• ,

Memory of my father

My mother

Mybusband

My sisters and brother

ii

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate ofUniversiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

ECOTOXICOLOGY OF HEAVY METALS (Cd, Pb, Zn AND Cu) IN FLAT TREE OYSTER ISOGNOMON ALATUS (GMELIN) FROM SEP ANG,

MALAYSIA

By

KATAYON SAED

May 2001

Chairman: Associate Professor Ahmad Ismail, Ph.D.

Faculty: Science and Environmental Studies

The status of heavy metals pollution in the Sepang Besar River and Sepang Kecil River

was studied in August 1998. In general heavy metals concentrations in flat tree oyster 1.

alatus, sediments and water from Sepang Besar River were found significantly (p <

0.05) higher than those from Sepang Kecil River.

Furthermore field experiments were conducted to study the accumulation and depuration

of heavy metals in oysters. The rates of metals accumulations in oysters were found to

be 42.70, 1 .77, 0.95, 0.84 J.lg g-l month-l for Zn, Cll, Cd and Pb, respectively. The

polluted oysters were transferred to clean area to estimate the depuration rates.

Significant reduction of metals concentrations in oyster was observed. About 87%, 83%,

78% and 59% for Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were detected after six months being transferred to

clean area, respectively.

iii

The metals accmnulation and depurations patterns in oysters in the laboratory conditions

were also investigated. The mean metal concentrations in oysters exposed to metals

solution of 1 00 J,lg rt at the end of two weeks were 32.70, 63. 19, 35.40, 7.44 J,lg got ,

which were 44, 3, 8 and 7 times greater than their initial levels for Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb,

respectively. The exposed oysters were transferred to clean seawater and the metals

depurations were investigated for one week. In general about 78%, 8 1 %, 87% and 88%

of the accumulated Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd were depurated from oysters 1. alatus.

Results from laboratory experiments indicated that there were differences in the

mechanisms for the metals accumulation and depurations in various organs of 1. alatus.

In general, in both accumulation and depuration experiments, gill, byssus and mantle

play major role whereas muscle, shell and visceral mass have no significant role.

Furthermore laboratory experiments were showed that the accumulation rates of metals

through contaminated water were higher than the metals accumulation rates through

contaminated algae. It is believed that oysters 1. alatus accumulate heavy metals through

contaminated seawater rather than contaminated algae.

The LCso levels of metals for oysters were observed to be 478.63, 436.51 , 676.08 and

295 . 12 J,lg rl for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively. The toxicity effects of heavy metals

on filtration rate of oysters were also studied and the filtration rate of oysters 1. alatus

exposed to 125 and 1 50 J,lg rl of all metals were decreased. In both toxicity experiments

the trend of metals toxicity on oysters were fOWld Cd > Pb > Cu > Zn.

IV

In conclusion, the results presented here clearly illustrate oysters 1. alatus could

be a very good heavy metals bioindicator and it would be of great interest if being

employed for control of heavy metals pollution in the marine environment and

aquaculture practices.

v

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk Doktor Falsafah

EKOTOKSIKOLOGI LOGAM BERAT (Cd, Pb, Zn DAN Cu) DALAM TIRAM ISOGNOMON ALATUS (GMELIN) DAR! SEPANG, MALAYSIA

01eh

KATAYON SAED

Mei 2001

Pengerusi: Profesor Madya Ahmad Ismail, Ph.D.

Fakulti: Sains dan Pengajian Alam Sekitar

Kajian status pencemaran logam berat di Sungai Sepang Besar dan Sungai Sepang Keeil

telah dijalankan dalam bulan Ogos 1998. Seeara umum kepekatan logam berat dalam

tiram, enapan dan air dari Sungai Sepang Besar adalah tinggi berbanding Sungai Sepang

Keeil.

Kerja lapangan selanjutnya ke atas akumulasi dan depurasi logam berat dalam tiram.

Kadar akumulasi logam Zn, Cu, Cd dan Pb adalah masing-masing 42.70, 1.77, 0.95, 0.84

J,lg g-I bulan-I . Tiram yang tereemar seterusnaya dipindahkan ke kawasan bersih untuk

menentukan kadar depurasi. Pada akhir tempoh kajian terdapat penurunan yang bererti

pada kandungan logam dalam tiram iaitu 87%, 83%, 78% and 59% masing-masing untuk

Cd, Pb, Cu dan Zn.

Kajian corak akumulasi dan depurasi logam tiram juga dijalankan di dalam makmal di

mana tiram didedahkan kepada larutan logam 100 J,lg r1 selama 2 minggu. Min kepekatan

logam dalam tiram pada akhir minggu kedua adalah 32.70, 63.19, 35.40 dan 7.44 J,lg rl,

iaitu 44, 3, 8 dan 7 kali ganda lebih besar berbanding kepekatan awallogam Cd, Zn, Cu

vi

dan Pb. Tiram yang telah didedahkan kepada larutan logam dipindahkan ke dalam air laut

bersih kemudian kajian depurasi logam dijalankan selama satu minggu. Di akhir tempoh

kajian, lebih kurang 78%, 81%, 87% dan 88% daripada logam Zo, ell, Pb dan Cd yang

terakumulasi mengalami depurasi dari tiram 1. alatus.

Keputusan menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan mekanisma akumulasi dan depurasi logam

dalam organ-organ tertentu pada tiram 1. alatus. Dalam kajian akumulasi, didapati kadar

pengambilan logam berat adaIah tinggi pada insang, mantel dan byssus. Bagaimapun,

tidak terdapat kesan bererti dalam akumulasi logam pada otot, cengkerang dan jirim

visceral. Dalam tempoh satu minggu kajian depurasi, didapti tiada kesan bererti ke atas

otot, cengkerang dan jirim visceral manakala byssus dan mantel tiram 1. alatus

mengalami depurasi secara bererti.

Kajian dalam makmal telah menunJ"kkan kadar akumulasi logam daIam air tercemar juga

adalah lebih tinggi berbanding alga tercemar dan dipercayai bahawa akumulasi logam

herat dalam tiram l. alatus adalah melalui air laut yang tercemar.

Paras LCso bagai Cu, Pb, Zn dan Cd adaIah masing-masing 478.63, 436.51, 676.08 dan

295.12 J.1,g rl untuk tiram. Kajian kesan toksik logam herat ke atas kadar penapisan tiram

menunjukkan bahawa kadar penapisan menurun apabila tiram l. alatus didedabkan

kepada 125 dan 150 JIg rl bagi semua jenis logam. Corak toksisiti logam herat ke atas

tiram bagi kedua-dua kajian adalah Cd>Pb>Cu>Zn.

V1l

Kesimpulannya l. alatus ada1ah pemmjuk biologi yang sangat baik dan amat berguna

dalam pengmusan logam berat bagi persekitaran marin dan juga Wltuk kegunaan sector

akuakultur.

Vl11

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My deepest gratitude is expressed to my supervisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad

Ismail for sharing his knowledge, time and the valuable comments and guidance

throughout the study.

I would like also to give my utmost thanks to Dr. Missri Kusnan and Dr.

Hisbamuddin Omar, the member of my supervisory committee for their comments in

this research.

Next, I wish to thank Yap Chee Kong and Nik for their generous assistance and

help in the field work.

Furthermore, I would like to aclqlOwledge University Putra Malaysia for the

financial support of the research through grant 50205-96-11 and IRPA grants no. 51279

and 51209.

Finally, my sincere thanks are to my husband, who had been great company and

support when needed most. I would like also to express my greatest gratitude and thanks

to my mother, sisters and brother for their support and encouragement during my

studying in UPM, which cannot be repaid.

ix

I certify that an Examination Committee met on 3rd May 2001 to conduct the final examination of Katayon Saed on her Doctor of Philosophy thesis entitled ''Ecotoxicology of Heavy Metals (Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu) in Flat Tree Oysters /sognomon alatus (GMELIN) from Sepang, Malaysia" in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1 980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulation 1981 . The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are as follows:

ABDUL RAHIM ISMAIL, Ph.D, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chainnan)

AHMAD ISMAIL, Ph.D, Associate Professor Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

MISRI KUSNAN, Ph.D, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

BISHAMUDDIN OMAR, Ph.D, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

ZUBm DIN, Ph.D, Professor Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies Universiti Sains Malaysia (Independent Examiner)

-. MO I MORA YIDIN, Ph.D, Professor eputy Dean of Graduate School, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date: 9 JUL 2lJ01

x

This thesis submitted to the Senate ofUniversiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Xl

AINI IDERIS, Ph.D, ProfessorlDean of Graduate School, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date: o 9 �UG 1001

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.

KataYOD Saed

XlI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

DEDICA nON ... . . . . .. . ... .. . . . . .. .. . . . . . ... . . . . . ..... . .. . . .. . . . . . . ... ... . ,. ... ... ... ....... 11 ABSTRACT....... . . ........ . .. . .. . ............ ........... . ...... . ..... ..... . ...... ... . .. . . . .. m ABSTRAK. ... . . . . . ... . . . . . .. . . ... . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. VI ACKN"OWLEJ)(;EMENTS . .. .. ... . ,. ... ... ... ... ... ...... ......... ...... ... ... ...... ..... IX APPROVAL SHEETS ... .. . . .. ... . . .... . . . . .. . .. . ... ..... . . .... . .. . ,. ... ......... ...... ... x DECLARATION FORM . .... , ... ...... ...... ... ... ...... ......... '" ... ... ... ... ... ...... Xll LIST OF TABLES .. . . . . . ... . . .. . . . . .... . . '" ...... ........................ '" ... ... ... ... ... XVI LIST OF FIGURES. .. . . . ... ... ... ... ... ... ......... ......... ... ...... ......... ... .......... XVl11 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . .. .... . .... . . . ..... . . . . . .. .. . . ,. ...... ... ... ...... ... ....... xx

CHAPTER

I INTRODUCTION .. . . . . . . . . . .... . " '" ....... , ...... , ...... '" ........ , .... 1

II UTERATIJRE REVIEW . . . . .. . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Heavy Metals Pollution .... , .................. , ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... 7 Heavy Metals and Public Health . . .... . . . . .... . . . . . , . '" ., . .. . .. . '" . . , . . . 8 Mode of Heavy Metals Processes . . .. .. . .. . . , . . . . . , . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 9

Accumulation . .. ... . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 I>etoxification ... . . . . . . .. . ... . . . . ... .. . . . . . . . ... . . . .. .. , '" . . . .. . . . . .... 13 I>epuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ,

Toxicology of Heavy Metals. . . . . . . . . .. . ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . . . . . . . 18 Toxicology of Heavy Metals in Oysters. . . . . . ... ... . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . 24 Heavy Metals Bioindicator ... .. . . ... .. . , . . " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Oysters as Heavy Metals Biondicators . . . . . . . . . '" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . 31 Biology and Ecology of Flat Tree Oyster lsognomon alatus... .. . . . . 33

Taxonomy .. .... . .. ... . . . . . . .. . . .... , '" . . . . . . . .. '" ... . . . . .. . . . ... . . . . 33 Species Description... . . . . .. ..... . ...... .. . .. . . .. ... . . . .. . .. . . .. . .. . . . 34 Distribution .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . ... ... .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .. , . . . 34 lIabitat . ... . ... . . ..... ... .. . . ... ... .. '" . . . . . . . . . . " . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . , . . . 35 Anatomy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . 36 Shell. . . . ... ..... . . . . . . . ... . . . . . .. . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Reproduction. . . ... . .. . . . ...... .................. ......... ......... .... 39

Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Potential of L alatus as Commercial Species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. 41

XlD

III MATERIALS AND METHODS. . . . . . ... ... .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ... . . . . .. . . 43 Study Area . . . . . . .. ... . . . . ... . . . ' " .,. '" ., .... . , ..... , . . . . . , . . . . .. . . .. .. , . . . . 43

I.ocation . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . ... . , ... . . , . ... . , . .. . . ,. '" ., . ...... ... .. , .. . . 43 Topography . . . . . , .. . . . . ...... . . . '" . .. . .. .. . ....... .... . ......... . ,. ... 43 Resources . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . ..... , . . . . .. .. . . . . ... .. . . ..... ..... 45 General Information... . .... . ...... . . . . ..... ... . ... .. . . . ... ...... ... .. 45 Human Activities . . . .. , . . . . . . . ..... '" .. . .. . .. . . . . .. . ... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 46

S3II1pling Procedure . . , ... ...... ..... . .. . ... .. . .. . .. . ..... . ...... ....... " .. 46 Oysters . .. . , . . . , . .. . .. .. . . .. .. . ... . . , .. . . .. ... . . . .. . . .. . . . ... ......... '" 47 Sediments . . . . . . . " . . . . . . . . . . . , .. . .. , . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. '" ... .. . ... .. 47 Water. . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Physico-Chemical Parameter . .. . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . , .. . . . . . . .. 48 Kinetics of Metals in Oysters in the Field Condition ........ , ... .. . .... 48 Kinetics of Metals in Oysters in the Laboratory Condition. . . . .. ... .. 49

Field S3IIlpling ... ..... ' . . . ... .. . . ..... . . . . . . ... .. . .. . ... . . . ... ... .. . . 49 Accumulation Experiments. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . ... ... . .. .. . . . . ... ... . 51 Depuration Experiments ... . . . '" . . . ... . . . . .. . . . ... .. . ... .. , .... , .... 54

Toxicity of Metals Exposure on Oysters .. . . . . . . . . .... . . , . .. . . .. .. . . ..... 55 LC50: Lethal Concentration 50 of Metals in Oysters.. . ... ... . .... 55 Toxicity Effect of Metals on Filtration Rate of Oysters. . . .. . ... 56

Analysis of Heavy Metals .. . . . . .. , . . . .. , . . . ... . .. . . . .. . ... ... ...... ... . .. . 57 Statistical Analysis . . . ... . . . ... . ..... . . . . , ... . ... ..... . '" . . . .. . . . , .. . .... ... 59

IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. . . .. . . . . ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... . .. ..... 62 Status of Heavy Metals Pollution in Sepang Besar and Sepang Kecil Rivers ... .. , ............ .... ........... . . . ............ '" . ... . . .... ,. ... 62

Physico-Chemical Parameter for Both Rivers . ... . . . .. '" . . . ... . 62 Metal Concentrations in Water. . . . . . ... .. . . ... . . ... . ... ..... ... . .. 65 Metal Concentrations in Sediment . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . , . . ... ,. . . 68 Metal Concentrations in Oysters . . . . . . .. . .. , . .. '" .. . . . . '" .. . . .. . 72 Correlation of Metals Concentrations Between Oysters and Their Environment . . . '" ... . , . . . . . ........ '" .... . . ... . .. ... ..... .. ... 78

Kinetics of Metals in Oysters in Field Condition. . . . . . ... ... . . . ... . . . .. 81 Accmnulation .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . .. . ..... . ...... . ,. ... 81 I>epuration .. . ... . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. '" ...... .... 90

Kinetics of Metals Accumulation in Oysters in Laboratory Condition . . . .. . ...... ' " . . . ...... . . . .. . ............ . . . ...... .. . . . . ...... . . , .. . 97

Accumulation Via Contaminated Water . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ,. . 97 Accumulation Via Contamjnated Food . . . .. , . . . . . . ..... , . . . ...... 102

Kinetics of Metals Depuration in Oysters in Laboratory Condition. . 106 Kinetics of Metals in Different Organs of Oysters in Laboratory Condition .. . ... ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . I I I

xiv

Accumulation . . . . . . '" . . , . . . . .. . . . '" . . , . . . . , . . . . . . . . . , . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1

Depuration . . . . . , ... ... ... '" .. , ...... ... ...... .... , . ...... ... .... ,. ... 134

Toxicity of Metals Exposure on Oysters . . . . . . .. , . . . . , . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . 150

LCso: Lethal Concentration so of Metals in Oysters . . . . . . . ,. . . . . 1 50

Toxicity Effect of Metals on Filtration Rate of Oysters... . . . . 152

V GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

BIBLOGRAPHY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 APPENDICES.. . ... . .. ... ... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 VITA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

xv

LIST OF TABLES

Table

1 Levels of toxic concentrations (mg rl) of meta1s in seawater for the

Page

main groups of marine organism . .... . . , ... , '" '" ., . .. , '" .... ,. ... ... ... .... 19

2 Toxicological effects of heavy metals on aquatic organisms ... '" .. , '" ... 20

3 Toxicological effects of heavy metals on oysters . . . ... . . . ... . . ... , ...... ..... 24

4 Physico-chemical parameters of water in Sepang Besar River during October 98 to March 99 ............... ..... . ..... , . . . .... , ... , ... ... ... ... ... .... 62

5 Physico-chemical parameters of water in Sepang Kecil River during October 98 to March 99 . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . , . .. , ...... ..... , ... .... , ... , ... .... 63

6 Physico-chemical parameters reported for other Malaysian Rivers. .. ..... 64

7 Total metal concentrations (mg rl) in water samples from Sepang Besar River and Sepang Kecil River, compared with natural levels . . . n. • • • • • • ••• 66

8 Metal concentrations (J.I.g g-l dry weight) in Sediments reported from the other rivers in Malaysia .......... , . .. , .. . .. . . , . . . . . . . ........ , . . . ... ' " .. . ... 71

9 Relationships of metal levels against body size in oysters /. aJatus obtained by expressing (b) regression coefficient and (r) correlation coefficient .. , ............................... , ........... , ........... , . ... . . . ... . ... 75

10 Metal concentrations (J.lg g-l wet weight) in oysters Isognomon alatus .. 76

11 Pearson correlation (r) between meta1 levels in oysters /. alotus and their environment (sediment and water)... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 79

12 R-values obtained from the least squared regression analysis of metal accumulations in oysters (J.Lg g-l) against time (month)...... .. . ......... ... 89

l3 R-values obtained from the least squared regression analysis of metal depurations in oysters (J.I.g g-I) against time (month) . . . . . . ... ....... . . ,. ..... 96

14 Results for linear regression analysis of metal accumulations (J.I.g g-l) in oysters through contaminated seawater and contaminated algae against time (Days) . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... . . . ... ... . .. . . . . . . ... . . . ... ... . . . . . . . . . . . , ... .... ,. 98

15 Metal concentrations (Mean ± S.D) in algae T. chuii exposed to (100 J.18 rl) of different metals after two weeks . . . ... . .. . .. ..... . . . . .. . .. . . , . ...... . , . .. , ... .... 103

XVI

16 Metal concentrations (J,lg g-l) in green algae reported from different m:ea (Kennish, 1996) . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . '" ., . . . . '" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

17 Filtration rate (L h -I) of oysters 1. alatus during an experimental conditions (6 br) . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . , . ... . . . ... . . . . .. ... . . . . . . ...... . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

1 8 Results for linear regression analysis of metal depurations in oysters 1.a/atus (J.tg g-l) against time (Days) . . . . . . . . . '" .,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 106

1 9 Results for linear regression analysis of metal accumulations in different organs of oysters (J,lg g-l) against time (Days). . . .. . . . . . .. ... .. . . . . 1 13

20 Results for linear regression analysis of metal depurations in different organs of oysters (J,lg g-l) against time (Days) ... . . . . . . ... .. . . . . '" . . . . . , . . . 135

2 1 48 br LCso (J,lg rl) values for different metals upon oysters 1. a/atus ..... 150

xw

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

1 Model of heavy metals uptake, transport and depuration in animal body

Page

(Landis and Ming-Ho, 1995) . ... . . . . . ... ..... , ... . , . ... .... .. , ... .... . . . ,. . . . .... 10

2 Strategies of the metal detoxifications in aquatic organisms (Mason and Jenkins, 1995) . . . . .. . . . ...... ... ... ...... .. , . .. . . . ....... ... . . . . . . ... 16

3 lsognomon alatus attached by byssus to the roots of mangrove tree.. . .... 35

4 Anatomy of flat tree oysters lsognomon alatus .. . . . . . . . . . , . . . ... . .. .. , . . .. . . . 37

5 Map showing study area . . . . . . . . . . . , ... . , . . . . . , . . .. ........ . .. , .. . ... . . . . , . . .. '" 44

6 Transplanted oysters 1. alatus suspended on the roots of mangrove tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , '" . . . . . 49

7 Oysters 1. alatus during the acclimatization period in hatchery, UPM. . . .. 50

8 Oysters 1. alatus during the accumulation and depuration experiment. . .. . 5-2

9 Metal concentrations in sediments from a) Sepang Besar River and b) Sepang Kecil River ... . . . ...... ... . ..... .. , '" .,. .. . .. . . . . ... ... . .. ... . .. . . .. . .. .. . 69

10 Metal concentrations in oysters from a) Sepang Besar River and b) Sepang Kecil River . . . '" ...... . ..... ....... , . . . . . . . . .. ... . . , . . . ... '" .,. '" . . . 74

1 1 The relationship between metals accumulation and exposure time, for oysters transplanted to Sepang Besar River for six months ... . ,. . .. ... ... .. 82

12 The relationship between metals depuration and exposure time, for oysters transplanted to Sepang Kecil River for six months... . . . ... ... . . . . . . 91

13 Metal accumulation in oysters through contaminated algae and contaminated seawater during two weeks exposure . ... . . .... . . . . . . . . ... '" . .. 99

14 Metals depurations in whole tissues of oysters 1. alatus in one week period in laboratory condition . . . ... . . . .. . . . . . , .... . , . . . . ... '" . . . .. ' . . . ... '" .,. 108

15 Metal accumulations in gills of oysters during the two weeks exposure.. 1 14

16 Metal accumulations in mandes of oysters during the two weeks

XVIll

exposme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

17 Metal accumulations in byssus of oysters during the two weeks exposme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

18 Metal accumulations in visceral mass of oysters during the two weeks exposme.. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

19 Metal accumulations in muscles of oysters during the two weeks exposure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

20 Metal accumulations in shells of oysters during the two weeks exposme. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

21 Metal depurations in gills of oysters exposed to 100 J.Lg rl metals solution in two weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

22 Metal depurations in mantles of oysters exposed to 100 J-lg rl metals solution in two weeks . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

23 Metal depurations in byssus of oysters exposed to 100 J.Lg rl metals solution in two weeks . .. . . . .. . ..... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

24 Metal depurations in visceral mass of oysters exposed to lOO J.Lg rl metals solution in two weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

25 Metal depurations in muscles of oysters exposed to 100 J-lg rl metals solution in two weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

26 Metal depurations in shens of oysters exposed to 100 J.Lg rl metals solution in two weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

27 Effect of metals exposure on the filtration rate of oysters 1. alatus.... ...... 153

28 Frequency the size of oysters 1. alatus from Sepang Besar River and Sepang Kecil River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

XlX

AA.S.

DOE

D.O.

nCA

TBT

LCso

MPL

MT

mgr1

J.1g rl

mg g-I

ppm

ppb

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

Department Of Environment

Dissolved Oxygen

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Tnbutyltin

Lethal concentrations resulting 50% mortality of test organism

Maximmn Permissible Level

Metallithionein

Milligram per liter

Microgram per liter

Milligram per gram

Part per million

Part per billion

xx

1

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Marine pollution is defined as an introduction of substances by man into the

marine environment resulting hannful effects to aquatic resources and health hazards to

human. Heavy metals are among the most intensely studied pollutants in marine

environment and estuarine because of above threshold availability and their long lasting

toxicological effects to organisms living in that environment Heavy metals ultimately

accumulate in variety of marine organisms including fish and shellfish, which eventually

accumulate as it moves higher in the food chain and eventually effecting human health.

The west coast of Peninsular Malaysia is densely populated and industrialized

area, of which the Straits of Malacca is experiencing the discharge of pollutant from land

based sources (Ismail et al., 1993). Land based sources have been identified as the main

, sources of the major pollution problems such as heavy metals in Malaysian waters

(Ahmad, 1997). Of the total quantity of waste generated in Malaysia 11.79% contained

heavy metals (DOE, 1998). In 1998, four major activities in Malaysia, namely

manufacturing, agro-based industry (raw natural rubber and crude palm oil), domestic

sewage and animal husbandry (pig rearing) were identified as chief source of water

pollution and pig slurry accounting 16.7% of those sources (DOE, 1998). These

pollutants were discharged directly or indirectly through rivers, into the Strait of

Malacca.

2

Over the years pig farmers have indiscriminately discharging untreated pig slurry

into public waterways, rivers and low land areas. Sometimes the rivers are so polluted

that no animals are able to live in its (Kaun, 1993). This situation is not uncommon

throughout the major pig producing areas in the country (Babjee et al., 1983). Teoh et al.

(1988) also reported that indiscriminate discharge of untreated waste from pig farms

caused serious water pollution in Malaysia.

Previous studies on heavy metals accumulation in sediments and molluscs from

Peninsular Malaysia indicated that samples from estuaries receiving eflluent from pig

farms contained high levels of heavy metals concentrations (Nather Khan and Lim,

1991; Ismail et al., 1993; Ismail and Ramli, 1997). Arzul and Maguer (1990) also

reported that pig farms contributed to high levels of heavy metals to the environment,

which could cause water and sediment pollution. Heavy metals such as Zn, Cu and Cd

are the most important pollutants caused by pig slurry (Bernal et al., 1992).

It has been estimated that the 99% of the pig farms in the country were located in

the states ofNegeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak, Johore and Malacca, with the majority of

big farms in Negeri Sembilan (DOE, 1998). Sepang Besar River is the river bordering

Negeri Sembilan and Selangor, which is highly polluted by waste discharged from pig

farm activities. According to the Department Of Environment document, Sepang Besar

River is one of the most polluted rivers in Malaysia since 1987 until 1998 (DOE, 1993;

1998). Previous study in this river indicated that heavy metals (Co, Pb, Cd and Zn) in

gastropods and sediments, which were close to pig farm eflluent were relatively higher

than those collected from the river mouth (Ismail and Ramli, 1997).

3

Metals such as ell, Pb, Cd and Zn were given special attention in environmental

monitoring studies especially in biological samples because bioaccumulation of these

metals can caused potentially toxic effects to the organism and to humans who consume

the seafood (phillips and Rainbow, 1992; Kennish, 1996). Aquaculture activities such as

fish, prawn, crab, mussels and cockles farming are mainly carried out in the coastal areas

especially those along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where developments had

been focused (Thomas, 1988; Gopinath and Shariff, 2000). On the other hand seafood

products supply about 75% of the protein requirements of the population in Malaysia.

Average Malaysian populations consume about 100 g dafl person -I of seafood products

(Sarmani and Majid, 1994). Therefore serious consideration should be taken in terms of

metals pollution. As we know, molluscs such as oysters are becoming popular for the

seafood trade in restaurants and tourist resorts. Therefore, in view of the growing

economic importance of the molluscs industry to many countries of the region and the

, potential health risks from a variety of contaminants, it is appropriate that greater

. ; emphasis should be placed on bivalves to ensure that such products do not present a

health hazard and at the same time affect the market demand and economic. With the

above situation in mind, baseline information on heavy metals levels should be gathered

to compare with the pollution from future developments.

It is known that marine molluscs accumulate heavy metals in their tissues to

concentrations that are above ambient levels in the environment Oysters are one of the

marine molluscs that have been used extensively as bioindicators of metals pollution in

estuaries and marine systems. The exceptional bioaccumulation capacity of oysters

4

makes them very suitable species for biomonitoring (Mo and Neilson, 1993). They can

accumulate metals in their tissues in proportion to the degree of environmental

contamination better than other bivalves (Lytle and Lytle, 1982). Although monitoring

programs have achieved considerable success, a more complete understanding of the

rates of metals accumulation and depuration in these organisms will improve monitoring

efficiency and unambiguous interpretation of monitoring data (Abbe et al., 2000). A

better knowledge of accumulation and depuration kinetics in field conditions might

contnbute to the understanding of oysters' capacity for different metals and provide

useful information for interpreting metal levels in natural oysters populations. In order to

predict the transport of metals through the marine ecosystem and to interpret the

significance of metal burden in oysters and how certain metals in the ambient water are

reflected in the their body burden, it is necessary to have information on the

accumulation and depuration rate of metals (Riisgard et al., 1987; Phillips, 1994).

In pollution monitoring studies, bioindicator species may be transplanted from

locations where natural populations are found to new locations of interest where natural

populations are absent. Martincic et al. ( 1992) suggested that the transplanted bivalves

are more suitable for monitoring of heavy metals than indigenous bivalve populations,

because of biological similarities and better reproducibility of the results. Widdows et al.

(1980-81) have observed that the transplantation of mussels or similar bivalves to

various areas may provide a useful approach to marine environmental monitoring. By

using transplanted organisms, it is possible to measure the actual presence of the metals

(Regoli and Orlando, 1 994).