Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
Volume 41, Issue 1, Pages 27-42Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-018-0149-1
Keywords
Ecological risk index; Enrichment factor; Geoaccumulation index; Interim sediment quality guideline; Trace element pollution
Categories
Funding
- Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) from Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia [FRGS/1/11/STWN/UPM/02/32]
- Putra Grant (GP) from Universiti Putra Malaysia [GP/2017/9574800]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Sediment can accumulate trace elements in the environment. This study profiled the magnitude of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn pollution in surface sediments of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Trace elements were digested using aqua regia and were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The extent of elemental pollution was evaluated using with the enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I-geo). This study found that the elemental distribution in the sediment in descending order was Zn>Ba>Cr>Pb>Cu>As>Ni>Co>Se>Cd. Zn concentrations in all samples were below the interim sediment quality guideline (ISQG) (124mg/kg). In contrast, Cd concentrations (2.34 +/- 0.01mg/kg) at Station 31 (Merlimau) exceeded the ISQG (0.70mg/kg), and the concentrations of As in the samples from Station 9 (Tanjung Dawai) exceeded the probable effect level (41.60mg/kg). The I-geo and EF revealed that Station 9 and Station 31 were extremely enriched with Se and Cd, respectively. All stations posed low ecological risk, except Station 31, which had moderate ecological risk. The outputs from this study are expected to provide the background levels of pollutants and help develop regional sediment quality guideline values. This study is also important in aiding relevant authorities to set priorities for resources management and policy implementation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available