Sedimentological and heavy metal studies of Kemaman Coastal sediments

Abstract

Sedimentological and heavy metall study was carried out in South China Sea off Kemaman Coastal Water. This study had 12 stations altogether and covering Dungun River, Port Kerteh and Kemaman River. Collection of sediment was done from 17 September 2006 until 20 September 2006. The purpose of this study was to determine the sediments characteristics, percentage of organic carbon contents and concentration of selected heavy metals. Generally, the sediments in the study area ranged from very coarse sand to fine silt and value for standard deviation is irregular. Most of the sediments in the study area were dominated by coarse sand. The range of percentage organic carbon contents ranged from 0.81 % to 1.38 % which indicates weak correlation with particle mean size. Average concentration of Co, Cu, Zn, and Pb are 7.9403 μg.g- 1 , 17.4167 μg.t 1 , 59.2747 μg.g- 1 , and 17.9830 μg.g- 1 respectively. All the selected metals show weak correlation with particle mean size and an organic carbon contents. Normalization and Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis shows that the metals studied (Co, Cu, Zn, and Pb) are derived from natural sources and not influence by anthropogenic sources.