Sains Malaysiana 41(4)(2012): 395-401

Mercury Distribution in an Invasive Species (Asystasia gangetica) from Peninsular Malaysia

(Taburan Merkuri di dalam spesies invasif (Asystasia gangetica) dari Semenanjung Malaysia)

W. Chew & C.K. Yap*

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia

43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

A. Ismail & M.P. Zakaria

Centre of Excellence for Environmental Forensics, Faculty of Environmental Studies

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor D.E., Malaysia

S.G. Tan

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, D.E., Malaysia

Received: 26 May 2011 /Accepted: 8 September 2011

ABSTRACT

In this study, the Hg levels in eight parts of Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson collected from 14 sites were determined using a Mercury Atomizer MA-1S and a Mercury Detector MD-1. It was found that the ranges for all the parts were 3.21-18.2 μg/kg dry weight for flowers, 1.29-11.2 μg/kg dry weight forstalks, 0.32- 29.4 μg/kg dry weight for seeds, 0.87-10.2 μg/kg dry weight for pericarps, 1.45-18.1 μg/kg dry weight for remainders, 11.8-68.2 μg/kg dry weight for leaves, 0.73-20.9 μg/kg dry weight for stems, and 3.40-33.1 μg/kg dry weight for roots. The overall Hg accumulation pattern in decreasing concentrations was leaf > root > flower > flower remains > stalk > stem > pericarp > seed. This study provided the background levels of Hg in this non-native invasive weed species in Malaysia. However, further studies

are needed to confirm it as a biomonitors of Hg in this region.

Keywords: A. gangetica; biomonitor, Hg; Peninsular Malaysia

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini menentukan kepekatan Hg pada lapan bahagianAsystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson yang dikumpul dari 14 tempat kajian. Pengatom Merkuri MA-1S dan Pengesan Merkuri MD-1 digunakan untuk menentukan kepekatan Hg pada setiap sampel dalam kajian ini. Nilai kepekatan Hg yang terdapat di dalam setiap bahagian ialah 3.21-18.2 μg/kg berat kering (bunga), 1.29-11.2 μg/kg berat kering (tangkai bunga), 0.32-29.4 μg/kg berat kering (biji-benih), 0.87-10.2 μg/kg berat kering (Perikarpa), 1.45-18.1 μg/kg berat kering (sisa-sisa bunga), 11.8-68.2 μg/kg berat kering (daun), 0.73-20.9 μg/kg berat kering (batang), dan 3.40-33.1 μg/kg berat kering (akar). Pola kepekatan Hg keseluruhan dalam

kajian ini ialah mengikut urutan daun > akar > bunga > sisa-sisa bunga > tangkai > batang > perikarpa > biji-benih. Kajian ini telah memberikan tahap latar belakang kepekatan Hg di dalam spesies invasif ini. Walau bagaimanapun, kajian lanjutan diperlukan untuk mengesahkan bahawa spesies ini adalah biomonitor yang sesuai di kawasan ini.

Kata kunci: A. gangetica; biomonitor; Hg; Semenanjung Malaysia

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*Corresponding author; email: yapckong@hotmail.com