Metals Reservoir in a Red Mangrove Forest

Abstract

This study presents heavy metal concentrations and distributions in a mangrove forest in Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro. Sediments are the main reservoir of the total metal contained in mangrove studied: 99 percent for Mn; 100 percent for Fe; 100 percent for Zn; 99 percent for Cu; 100 percent for Cr and 100 percent for Pb and Cd. Rhizophora mangle biomass contained less than 1 percent of reservoir. Within the biotic compartment, perennial tissues accounted for almost all of the metals present in biomass. The results indicate that mangrove may act as an efficient metal trap in tropical coastal environments.