Avicennia marina and its sediments: potential indicators of heavy metal pollution

An ecological survey was carried out to determine the level of heavy metals in the mangrove flora and sediment along the Korangi creek (KC) and Sandspit back waters (SP) of the Karachi coast. The heavy metals included in this study are Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co and Ni. The metal concentration was found to be higher in mangrove sediment than flora. Fe and Mn concentration were predominant at both the sampling sites whereas Co concentration was least. The study reveals the less contaminated area of Sandpit back water than of Korangi creek