Oxidative stress indices in natural populations of Avicennia alba Blume. as biomarker of environmental pollution.

Effects of multiple pollutants including heavy metal on oxidative stress indices were measured in leaves and roots of Avicennia alba Blume. collected from three coastal locations in Kerala-Cochin, Kollam and Chetua. We observed significant activities in lipid peroxidation, root oxidizability, electrolyte leakage and antioxidant enzymes. Conversely, ascorbate and reduced glutathione showed low levels suggesting that these may be serving as a biomarker of heavy metals for monitoring pollution.