Chromium contamination in marine ecosystem at Bangpoo, Muang district, Samutprakarn province

Abstract

Seawater, sediment, and marine organisms were collected from Bangpoo, Muang district, Samutprakarn Province and analyzed for chromium concentrations. The results showed relatively high chromium concentrations in sediments (102.46-527.23 mg/kg). For animals, the highest chromium concentrations were found in the bivalve Tapes turgidus (50-600 ug/g dry weight) and polychaete Perinereis sp. (30-1200 ug/g dry weight). In addition, chromium in fish tissues were an average of 3 ug/g dry weight. The accumulations of chromium among species were compared by Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs). In fish, BAFS rations were less than 1, which meant that chromium tended not to accumulte in fish tissues. Hhwever, BAFs rations were higher than 1 in bivalves, polychaetes, gastropods, and crabs, indicated that those species can accumulate chromium when in the exposure area and could cause adversely health impacts to marine organisms. In addition, the 15 day experiment of chromium sediment toxicity test on Perinereis nuntia was conducted. The results showed chromium concentrations in the sediment between 36-231 ug/g dry weight did not cause death to polychaetes. However, it reduced the growth rate of test species by 60-80% of control set.