Abstract:
Surface sediment from 12 stations in Kerteh lagoon area were analyzed for metals Lead
(Pb), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Ferurn (Fe), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Cadmium
(Cd), total organic carbon and particle size. Metals were analyzed by using Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Results showed that average
concentration during pre-monsoon was 0.027 mg/kg for Cd, 6.60 mg/kg for Cu, 52.90
mg/kg for Cr, 91.1 mg/kg for Mn, 13.1 mg/kg for Pb, 26.4 mg/kg for Zn and 0.77% for
Fe. On the other hand, during monsoon seasons, Cd has an average concentration of
0.022 mg/kg, 3.81 mg/kg for Cu, 21.0 mg/kg for Cr, 46.65 mg/kg for Mn, 6.11 mg/kg for
Pb, 22.48 mg/kg for Zn and 0.65% for Fe respectively. From the results it showed that the
sediments had high concentration of Pb and relatively low concentration of Fe.
Normalization of metals (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cd, Cr) to Fe as a reference element indicated
relatively moderate enrichment factors for Pb. Most of the elements studied in sediments
were derived from natural sources and in minimum pollution level.