Accumulation of heavy metals in core sediments from Kelantan river near to Kuala Krai area as indicator of river pollution

Abstract

River pollution has been one of the most occurring phenomenal in Malaysia due to anthropogenic activities such as dumping, logging and industrial activities. In this study, the physical properties of the core sediments samples from 3 sampling points in Sungai Kelantan (known as KK3, KK4 and KK11) were analysed. The heavy metals concentration in the core sediment samples were examined through Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and the concentration of heavy metals present were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limit. The pollution levels in Sungai Kelantan evaluated using geoaccumulation index (Igeo). The properties of core sediments which are total organic carbon, grain size distribution and moisture content of KK3, KK4 and KK11 were affected by environmental conditions and surrounding of the study area. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine the heavy metal concentration of iron, lead, chromium, zinc and copper. By comparing the average value of each metal concentration, it is found that only lead concentration exceed the WHO permissible limit (30 mg/kg) in the mentioned sampling points. The pollution level was indicated through geoaccumulation index and categorized as class 1 with the range value of 0 < Igeo < 1. Thus, we can conclude that Sungai Kelantan in the study area of KK3, KK4 and KK11 are uncontaminated to moderately contaminated.