Accumulation of cadmium and lead in Enhalus acoroides (tape seagrass) species in Brgy. Alegria, Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique, Philippines

VENISE JAN C. CASTILLON, GIEBERLINE DYNE A. AMBUT, PRINCESS JOY D. TINDAN, and HAROLD P. MEDIODIA
Philippine Science High School – Western Visayas Campus, Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute, Philippines

Abstract
Seagrass meadows are a critical component of the marine ecosystems worldwide and are sensitive to changes in the environment. Semirara, Antique operates the biggest open pit coal mines in the Philippines since 1980. Heavy metals are one of the waste products from mining which can accumulate in living organisms, posing a threat to their health. In this study, seawater, sediment, and Enhalus acoroides (tape seagrass) samples were collected from Brgy. Alegria, Semirara and analyzed using Microwave Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES) to determine the accumulation of cadmium and lead. Results showed that concentrations for Cd and Pb in seagrass roots were as follows: Cd (<0.009) and Pb (0.061 ± 0.008) while concentrations in seagrass leave were: Cd (<0.009) and Pb (0.067 ± 0.005). Concentration of Cd decrease in the following order: seawater > seagrass leaves > seagrass roots > sediments while concentrations of Pb decrease in the order: seagrass roots > seagrass leaves > seawater > sediments.

Keywords: seagrass, cadmium, lead, Enhalus acoroides, mp-aes