Distribution of mercury in sediment of coastal water of Kuala Terengganu

Abstract

Toe concentration of mercury was studied in sediment of coastal water of Kuala Terengganu that covers from Marang to Merang. In fish tissue muscle the concentration was also determined where 9 sample of sediment sample and biota sample were analyzed by ICP-MS (Inductive Couple Plasma - Mass Spectrometer). Mercury content in sediment varied from 0.003µgg· 1 1 tO 0.068µgg· 1 to 0.064µgg· while for the fish tissue is O.OI4µgg" 1 • Mercury concentration showed low correlation with mean particle size(r = 0.358) and moderate correlation with organic carbon content (r = 0.599). Due to the result obtained, only one sampling site of study area is contaminated and exceeded mean natural value in earth crust (0.04µgg" 1 ) with the value is 0.064µgg· 1 • Overall, other station has mercury concentration that distributed in the natural value of mercury in sediment. Mercury content in the fish tissue also considered low within the standard of 0.5µgg· wet weight set by the Malaysian Food Act. The data indicated that no major threat to public health occur in coastal water of Kuala Terengganu.