Determination of heavy metal in sediment at Kerteh mangrove area, Terengganu

Abstract

A study on heavy metal concentration and pollution assessment in the surface and core sediment was conducted in Kerteh Mangrove area, Terengganu. The sampling was done twice on September 2009 and December 2009. The elements analyzed were Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Al. Other than metal concentration determination, percentage of organic carbon also determined. Results showed that highest concentrations of heavy metal content in this study area were leading by Mn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Co, and Al for pre-monsoon and monsoon season. Enrichment factor calculation was using to determine the pollution input whether from natural environment or anthropogenic input. Correlation between heavy metal and total organic carbon also had been investigated to reveal the relationship between these two components. The result showed that all the metals have low relationship with organic carbon which is the organic carbon available at study area were not being used by metal ions for mobilization. In additional relationship between heavy metal concentration and seasonal changes also was studied. Therefore only Mn,Pb and Al showed significant differences with seasonal changes due to deposition on the monsoon season that diluted the metal thus increased it solubility. Other than that core sediment also was studied to find out history pollution at that study area.