merged

HEAVY METAL LEVELS IN GREEN TURTLE
HATCHLINGS FROM EAST COAST PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Mohamad Amin Bin Safaruddin
Supervisor: Dr. Abdulmaula Abdulmagid Hamza
Bachelor of Sciences (Marine Biology)
School of Marine Sciences and Environment
Concentration of heavy metals (Zinc, Manganese,Chromium and Mercury) were
determined in the liver of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings sampled from
Pulau Redang, Setiu, Malaysia to investigate the degree of heavy metals ‘maternal
transfer. Digestion of the sample is conducted by using nitric acid in 110 o C oven to
ensure the sample is fully digested. Detection of Zinc, Manganese and Chromium
concentration was analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
(ICP-MS) to obtain accurate results. Meanwhile, mercury was detected by using
Mercury Analyzer. The concentration of Zinc was highest amongst all of metals
analyzed. Only Manganese shows a pattern of maternal transfer of heavy metals to
the hatchlings. Further studies on the maternal transfer of heavy metals from parent
to hatchling should be conducted as we can integrate results of tracking studies so we
can anticipate sources of pollutants in hatchlings based on post-breeding range of the
mother green turtles.
1820 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018