Spatial Variability of Metals in Surface Water and Sediment in the Langat River and Geochemical Factors That Influence Their Water-Sediment Interactions

Abstract

This paper determines the controlling factors that influence the metals' behavior water-sediment interaction facies and distribution of elemental content (75As, 111Cd, 59Co, 52Cr, 60Ni, and 208Pb) in water and sediment samples in order to assess the metal pollution status in the Langat River. A total of 90 water and sediment samples were collected simultaneously in triplicate at 30 sampling stations. Selected metals were analyzed using ICP-MS, and the metals' concentration varied among stations. Metal concentrations of water ranged between 0.08–24.71 μg/L for As, <0.01–0.53 μg/L for Cd, 0.06–6.22 μg/L for Co, 0.32–4.67 μg/L for Cr, 0.80–24.72 μg/L for Ni, and <0.005–6.99 μg/L for Pb. Meanwhile, for sediment, it ranged between 4.47–30.04 mg/kg for As, 0.02–0.18 mg/kg for Cd, 0.87–4.66 mg/kg for Co, 4.31–29.04 mg/kg for Cr, 2.33–8.25 mg/kg for Ni and 5.57–55.71 mg/kg for Pb. The average concentration of studied metals in the water was lower than the Malaysian National Standard for Drinking Water Quality proposed by the Ministry of Health. The average concentration for As in sediment was exceeding ISQG standards as proposed by the Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines. Statistical analyses revealed that certain metals (As, Co, Ni, and Pb) were generally influenced by pH and conductivity. These results are important when making crucial decisions in determining potential hazardous levels of these metals toward humans.

Spatial analysis of heavy metals in mangrove estuary at east coast peninsular Malaysia: a preliminary study

“…Based on the result, the value of these variables are very low and below guidelines (except Zn). This VF is consider as surface runoff and the natural geologic sources [2,40]. Based on [40], topsoil and rocks are drained by rainwater during north-east monsoon season and settled on sediment.…”

“…This VF is consider as surface runoff and the natural geologic sources [2,40]. Based on [40], topsoil and rocks are drained by rainwater during north-east monsoon season and settled on sediment. Yet, Zn gives strong negatives loading because of this element are higher at Semerak Lagoon which come from river discharge from upstream environment [41][42].…”

An assessment of natural radionuclides in water of Langat River estuary, Selangor

“…Samples collection points in the estuary into the river and along the coastal area are shown in Figure 1 and Table 1. Hill, mountainous terrain and coastal plain are surrounding the basin [11]. The water flows from the upstream area in Hulu Langat to Kuala Langat at the downstream area where the Langat River becomes the main river in the basin which flows in a south western direction and drains into the Straits of Malacca.…”

“…In this study, Langat river estuary is chosen for study area due to the basin underlain by schist, phyllite and granite rock formation [11]. The estuary also acts as a resource for fisheries and aquaculture projects that gives important role in ecology, tourism and as natural resources such as mangrove forest [12].…”

Fate of Heavy Metals Pb and Zn in the West Season at Jeneberang Estuary, Makassar

“…Other results showed that the element removal process of dissolved Pb and Zn in Gota estuary, Sweden, ineffectively occurred, as the estuary type were salt wedge and unpolluted. Lim et al (2012) who studied the Langat River, Malaysia, found that Pb concentration in the sediment was tended to be higher than in the water column. The phenomena showed that Pb has a larger adsorption capacity.…”