Distribution, sources and modified degree of contamination of trace elements in Linggi estuary surface sediments, Malaysia

Kamarudin Samuding; Shariff Ibrahim; Nesamalar Kantasamy; Shamsiah Ab Rahman; Md Suhaimi Elias; Azian Hashim; Jeremy Andy Dominic Daung

Distribution, sources and modified degree of contamination of trace elements in Linggi estuary surface sediments, Malaysia

2020

The purpose of this study is to assess the trace elements of barium (Ba), bromine (Br), cesium (Cs), cobalt (Co), hafnium (Hf), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), rubidium (Rb), scandium (Sc) and vanadium (V) in the surface sediments of Linggi estuary in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, using the neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. Results showed that the average concentration of Br, Cs, Hf, Rb, Sc and V were 75.1, 12.6, 10.0, 146, 10.6 and 80.5 mg/kg, respectively, which were all higher than the upper continental crust (UCC) reference values. However, the average concentration values of Ba, Co, Mn, and Fe were 272, 6.39, 350, and 26,547 mg/kg, respectively, which were all relatively lower compared to the UCC values of the respective elements. The provenance of Br and Hf were from seawater and marine organisms, while Cs and V came from from anthropogenic activities, such as discharge from electronic factories and vehicle workshops. The element of Rb and Sc originated from geogenic processes, such as erosion, landslide and weathering. Overall, the trace element contamination in surface sediments of Linggi estuary was categorised as moderate to highly modified degree of contamination (mCd ), and these could result in adverse effects on benthic dwelling organisms and aquatic life.

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