PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS AND METALS CONTAMINANTS OF TEMENGGOR LAKE, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Seven sampling stations surrounding Banding Island, Temenggor Lake were chosen to evaluate the status ofTemenggor Lake's sediment quality. A total set ofsediment samples from each station were collected during December 2010. An experimental technique was involved to analyze the sediment particle size (sand, silt and clay), pH, conductivity, total organic carbon, total organic matter, total hydrocarbon and some selected metals. The texture analysis study revealed that the sandy type sediment was the predominant fractions in Temenggor Lake. In this study, chemical characteristic of the sediment in Temenggor Lake has shown total organic carbon (0.07- 0.62%), organic matter (0.20- 1.83%) and hydrocarbon (0.01 - 0.39%). Metals concentrations in lake sediment were found to be in the following order Fe > Mn > Pb > Cr > Zn > Cu > Cd. All metal studied in Temenggor Lake were generally low and in the range of natural concentration when compared with Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQG). It was also noted that the Mohd Shah Resort Station is a predominant potential to be polluted compared to other sampling locations.