Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Surface Sediment of Mangroves from Selected Locations in Peninsular Malaysia

Mangrove ecosystem in Peninsular Malaysia is endangered from human encroachment,shipping/sportive activities, wood harvesting and industrial pollution. This study was conductedto determine the presence of certain toxic heavy metals such as Chromium (Cr), Manganese(Mn), Arsenic (As), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) in surface sediments of the mangrove. The samplinglocations were carefully selected to represent various types of anthropogenic inputs. The metalsconcentrations were analyzed using inductively‐couple plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS). Therange of metal concentrations was as follows: Cr (۱۴.۳۱ – ۱۳۲.۹۵) μg/g., Mn (۱۱.۳۴ – ۹۹۶.۰۴)μg/g., As (۷.۳۱ – ۱۳۸.۸۲) μg/g., Zn (۵۹.۳۳ – ۳۴۳.۵۶) μg/g. and Pb (۲۷.۱۲ – ۱۵۱.۱۵) μg/g. Thesewere compared with international guidelines and strikingly, the levels at most sites exceeded theprescribed levels. Compared to previous studies in Malaysia, Mn, Zn and Pb pollution inmangroves increased over the years. The geoaccumulation index revealed that most of themangrove is strongly polluted with As, unpolluted to moderately polluted with Cr and Mn,moderately polluted with Zn and moderately to strongly polluted with Pb. Therefore, mangroveecosystems need to be monitored regularly to understand the extent of pollution with increasingpopulation. Finally, this study can be considered as a baseline study on heavy metal pollution inmangrove sediments in Malaysia.

Keywords:

Mangroves , Surface sediments , Peninsular Malaysia , Heavy metals