Distribution of mercury in Sungai Kerteh, Dungun, Terengganu

Abstract

This study is carried out in Kerteh River to study about the mercury distribution in that particular area during pre monsoon and post monsoon. Different types of samples such as sediments, water and fish are collected at the eight different stations for both of the monsoons. The samples are analyzed by using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry) or CV AAS (Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption). Instead of determining the mercury concentration, total organic carbon analysis and particle size analysis also been conducted to the sediments sample to find the correlation between them. The overall concentration of mercury in the sediments do not exceed the safety level indicates non­ polluted area. The water sample showed extremely low concentration of mercury. Fish are captured using fishing gear. A few different species were collected during both monsoons. Predatory fish showed high concentration of mercury, but do not exceed the safety level. Overall Kerteh River is not polluted with mercury, and human are safe to consume the fish from this area.