Comparison of Heavy Metal Concentration in Bidekhun, Basatin and Melgonze Mangrove Forests

Due to the increasing industrial activities in many tropical and subtropical coastal areas, social concerns in relation to the impact of anthropogenic activities on mangrove forests have been increased. Surface mangrove sediments (0–10 cm) from three mangrove forests in Bushehr, northern Persian Gulf were sampled for metal analysis in April 2009. The concentrations ranged (in µg g-1 dry weight)as fallows: 1795-30240 Al, 6425-51530 Fe, 0.6-3.45 Cd, 14.1-98.28 Cu, 14.1-204.54 Ni, 34.15-191.6 Pb, 57.38-825.26 V, and 44.91–306.15 Zn. The overall average concentrations of above metals exceed the primary standard criteria but meet the secondary standard criteria of the Chinese National Standard of Marine Sediment Quality and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Standard. Among them, three mangrove sites in Bushehr, Bidekhun and Basatin were contaminated with heavy metals. Bidekhun is nearest mangrove to the South Pars gas complex, and Basatin is located in neighborhood. In addition, the disturbing of current water in Basatin creek with bridge construction has caused the increase of metal concentrations within this site.