Density of Green Mussels (Perna viridis) and Its Impact on Growth and Lead Accumulation in Polyculture Systems in Tropical Waters

Aims: Green mussels (Perna viridis) are filter-feeding organisms known for accumulating heavy metals, including lead (Pb), in their tissues, making them valuable bioindicators of water quality.

Study Design: This study aimed to assess the impact of different stocking densities on the growth and lead accumulation in Perna viridis.

Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted at a traditional pond in Ujungpangkah Subdistrict, Gresik, East Java, over a period of 21 days, from June 27 to July 18, 2024.

Methodology: A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with three treatment groups: Treatment A (10 mussels/m²), Treatment B (20 mussels/m²), and Treatment C (30 mussels/m²). The parameters measured included the absolute flesh width, daily growth rate, and lead content in the mussels.

Result: Statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences in the daily growth rate among the treatments (p > 0.05), suggesting that stocking density did not significantly influence growth. However, significant differences in the absolute flesh width were observed, with Treatment C showing the largest absolute flesh width at higher density. Additionally, lead accumulation increased with stocking density, with mussels in Treatment C accumulating the highest levels of lead (1.14 mg/L). This suggests that, while the growth rate was unaffected by density, the absolute flesh width are influenced by stocking density. The bioaccumulation of lead in mussels was also interpreted descriptively, considering the mussels' need for a suitable environment to mitigate environmental stressors. The findings underline the importance of considering both the growth and environmental health of the mussels, especially in relation to density management to prevent heavy metal accumulation.