Concentrations of selected metals were investigated in roots, stems, leaves and sediments from mangrove forests situated along the coast of the Oman Sea, Iran. Results showed that the overall average concentrations of lead, nickel, copper, and zinc in sediments were 47.90, 54.12, 42.13 and 44 μg/g dry weight (dw) and 3.81, 16.41, 29.23 and 25 μg/g dw in plant tissues, respectively. In addition, the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of root, stem and leaf ranged from 0.5 to 1.7, 0.2 to 1.5, and 0.4 to 1.3, respectively. Pollution indices showed that all investigated sites were in the category of low to moderate pollution (pollution load index: 1.5-0.11), with a 21 % probability of biological toxicity.
Keywords: Bioavailability; Iran; Mangrove ecosystem; Metals.
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