Heavy metals in sediment cores of Sulu-Sulawesi Sea (darvel bay)

Abstract

Sediment core samples of Darvel Bay, Sabah were collected to assess the distribution of six metals (Al, Fe, Mg, Cu, Zn and Pb). The concentrations were determined using the Teflon bomb method, where mixed acid was used to digest the samples and detected using the Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This study is useful to understand and estimate the impact of human activities. The study was conducted in an area surrounded by numerous islands and fringing reefs, where it is believed to be an ecosystem with high degree of biological diversity. As it should be, the upper parts of the sediments have higher concentrations and decreasing with depth. The results obtained were different. Enrichment factor values were also calculated to assess any possible influence of heavy metal pollution.