THE DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN SEDIMENT FROM KERTEH RIVER, TERENGGANU

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals accumulated in sediment from nine stations along the Kerteh River of Kemaman were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Plasma (ICP-OES) chemical analyses. The average concentration ofheavy metals were; Pb (15.29 ± 4.44J.Lg g·1), Cd (4.42 ± 0.27 J.Lg g-1), Cu (34.33 ± 14.73 J.Lg g-1), Cr (11.32 ± 3.92J.Lg g-1), Zn (44.94 ± 13.29 J.Lg g-1), Ni (11.42 ± 5.20 J.Lg g-1). The trend ofheavy metal concentration at the study area was Zn>Cr>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cd; indicating possible enrichment from anthropogenic sources such as oil refinery industry, boating, fishing and domestic waste. The concentration of Pb and Zn were most abundant at station A4 (Petronas outlets 2) while station A2 (Petronas outlets 1) was abundant with Cd and Cu. The highest concentration ofCr and Ni was found at station A9 (mangrove plant). The distribution of heavy metals at Kerteh River was much influenced by anthropogenic sources and human activities.