AN ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SCLERACTINIAN CORAL TISSUES OF KARIMUNJAWA ARCHIPELAGO, INDONESIA

Abstract

Karimunjawa archipelago, marine national park, has been considered to be a relatively pristine area that
have more than 90 species of corals. This study was conducted to detect any concentrations heavy metal
levels in the  tissues of  eight  coral species. Based on life-forms, selected coral species are classified as
massive (Porites lutea and Goniastrea  retiformis), submassive (Galaxea fascicularis and  Stylophora
pistillata), foliaceous (Pavona decussata and Montipora foliosa) and branching/ramosa (Acropora aspera
and Pocillopora damicornis). The concentration of heavy metals in the coral tissues  were assessed using
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) technique. The present experimental results demonstrated that
metal in coral tissues were no significant difference between sites. Concentration levels of five heavy metals
were found to be in the order of  Pb>Zn>Cr>Cd>Cu.  Relating heavy metal  concentrations to life-form
corals, there were no significant differences of all the metals (except Pb), the highest concentration of Pb
were found in foliaceous type of corals. The high level of Pb in foliaceous coral life-form (Pavona decussata
and  Montipora foliosa), indicating that these coral species are usefull as  potential candidates of
biomonitoring material for this metal.  However, the use of corals as biomonitors should be  considered
carefully in biological  and local environmental factors.