Heavy metal accumulation and depuration may alter the effectiveness of Meretrix meretrix as a biomonitoring organism for water quality assessment. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of heavy metal accumulation and depuration on M. meretrix, by immersing it in Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Lead (Pb)
solutions under laboratory conditions. The results showed that M. meretrix is able to accumulate Cu, Zn, and Pb at the rate of 0.99, 21.80, and 0.57 μg/g per day, respectively, and depurates at the rate of 0.42, 23.55, and 1.01 μg/g per day, respectively. These results indicate that M. meretrix could be effectively used as a biomonitoring organism for Cu because the accumulation rate is significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the depuration rate. However, this was not the case for Zn because the accumulation rate was almost similar to the depuration rate, while for Pb, accumulation or depuration did not occur in M. meretrix.
This study aims to identify the level of 'Environmental Literacy' among students in Sabah. The sample
consisted of 110 respondents who were randomly selected among form 5 students in a secondary
school in Tawau district, Sabah. A quantitative approach with a survey technique was used in this
study. The descriptive data obtained indicate that the level of sustainable development element in
Environmental Literacy is higher than other elements in this construct. This data also shows the level
of Environmental Literacy respondents are at high level (mean score = 4.20, SP = 0.30). While the ttest
showed there was no significant difference in environmental literacy among secondary school
students on the basis of gender although the mean difference showed that female students were more
than male students. In conclusion, the level of environmental literacy for students is at a acceptable and
respondents agreed that the elements of sustainable development incorporated in the definition of
'Environmental Literacy'.