A study on the sedimentological characteristics and heavy metal contents of Kerteh river estuarine sediments

Abstract

A study on the sedimentological characteristics and heavy metal concentrations in the surface sediment was conducted in Kerteh River Estuarine area, Kerteh Terengganu. This area known by oil and gas petroleum industrial site while at the upper site of the catchment area is dominated by agricultural activities. The sampling was done twice on June 2011 and February 2012 to differentiate both of two monsoons occurred, pre monsoon and monsoon season. Sediment characteristics were analyses to know the size of the sediment such as mean, sorting, skewness and kurtosis. Heavy metals contents was analysed are Mn, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni and Fe. Results showed that highest concentrations of heavy metal contents in this area were leading by Mn,Ni,Cr,Zn,Pb,Cu,Cd and Fe. Total organic carbon result showed pre monsoon is higher than monsoon seasons. Correlation between concentrations of heavy metals contents within particle size and organic carbon also investigated. The result showed between heavy metal and particle size showed Mn is dominated during pre monsoon and only Cu dominates monsoon either heavy metals content with total organic carbon during monsoon season. In additional to state the study, this is polluted by anthropogenic or not based on normalization graph that showed in normal condition.