A preliminary study on heavy metal pollutants chrome (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in sediments and beach morning glory vegetation (Ipomoea pes-caprae) from Dasun Estuary, Rembang, Indonesia

Highlights: • Cr, Cd, and Pb metals in the sediment are still below the threshold set by the guidelines. • Ipomoea pes-caprae can be used as a heavy metal bioindicator particularly Cd. • Correlation between Pb and Cr indicated that metals were interdependent. • The study findings provide supporting information to establish control strategies in these areas. This study aimed to assess the condition of the Dasun estuary, Indonesia, from the influence of heavy metals Cr, Cd, and Pb that accumulated in sediments and beach morning glory vegetation (Ipomoea pes-caprae). The results showed that the metal concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Pb in the sediments were 3.39–5.29 mg/kg, 0.21–0.29 mg/kg, and 5.36–6.87 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of metals that accumulated in the tissue of entire plants were 0.98–1.22 mg/kg (Cr), 0.31–0.40 mg/kg (Cd), and 0.94–1.23 mg/kg (Pb). Dasun estuary is still in the safe category for the living habitat, even though the concentration of Cd was relatively high and was estimated to originate from batik industry waste. The vegetation of Ipomoea pes-caprae was found to have a high ability to absorb Cd; thus, it can be used as a bioindicator for heavy metals in the environment.