Distribution of metals and quality of intertidal surface sediment near commercial ports and estuaries of urbanized rivers in Port Klang, Malaysia

Thirty intertidal surface sediment samples with replicates were collected from Port Klang and the concentration of metals, sediment particle size and amount of organic matter were determined. The mean metal concentrations as in descending order were: Mn (136.991 +/- A 46.800 mg kg(-1)) > Zn (48.249 +/- A 25.790 mg kg(-1)) > Cr (24.175 +/- A 4.739 mg kg(-1)) > Pb (15.560 +/- A 5.475 mg kg(-1)) > Ni (6.860 +/- A 1.693 mg kg(-1)) > Cu (6.777 +/- A 9.064 mg kg(-1)) > Co (1.854 +/- A 0.352 mg kg(-1)) > Cd (0.074 +/- A 0.054 mg kg(-1)). The Klang River and the Langat River were identified as the point of entry for metals to the Lumut Strait. Metal accumulations were found to occur near or within the Klang and the Langat River estuary and also along the Lumut Strait. The enrichment factor and the geo-accumulation index revealed enrichment of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by anthropogenic sources. In addition, Cu concentration at two stations located near a commercial jetty, marina and shipyard had also exceeded the ISQG level by the Canadian Interim Marine Sediment Quality Guideline. Principal component analysis showed that concentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn was more dependent on Klang River, as compared to Langat River which had more influence on the concentration of Co, Cr, Mn and Ni. It was shown that presence of clay, silt and organic matter favored metal retention in the sediment.