Assessing the Health of South Kalimantan Coastal Swamp Wetlands using Measurements of Heavy Metals in Commercial Fish Species

Abstract

Heavy metals pollution damages coastal swamp ecosystems. This study’s primary purpose was to determine the amounts of heavy metals in coastal swamp waters and the tissues of three fish species (Mugil cephalus, Arius sagor and Plotosus lineatus). This study determined that the water in the coastal swamps of South Kalimantan was contaminated with heavy metals in the following order: Fe > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg. The heavy metal concentrations found in the three commercial fish species are as follows: Fe > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg. The bioaccumulation of heavy metals was highest in Mugil cephalus, followed by Arius sagor and Plotosus lineatus. The Fe, Cu and Cr concentrations in Mugil cephalus, Arius sagor and Plotosus lineatus exceeded the international and national MPLs. The liver tissue has the highest capacity to bioaccumulate heavy metals. Regular monitoring of these metals in fish and water sources is recommended to ensure the safety and conservation of coastal swamp wetlands.