Heavy Metals Accumulation in River Water and Sediment Core at Kelantan River Tributaries of Gua Musang, Kelantan

Abstract

Several rivers around Gua Musang had been suspected as polluted area due to waste discharge from ore mining and palm oil factories located near the rivers. However, more evidence is needed to support the statement. Therefore, this study had been carried out to determine the water quality of Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers at Gua Musang, Kelantan via its physiochemical parameters. Elemental concentrations of Fe, Al, Mn, Zn and Pb were determined in both water samples and sediment cores collected from Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers to evaluate the accumulation trend of the heavy metal. The pollution level of heavy metals in Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers were then investigated by using geo-accumulation index. The heavy metals of sediment were analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) after being digested by an acid mixture of HNO3/HCL (1:3; v/v). This study shows that Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers need to treated before direct consumption. The horizontal spatial distribution of heavy metals in water and sediment suggests that the rivers were contaminated with Mn, Fe, Al and Zn. Although Aring Rivers shows the highest concentration of Mn in both water and surface sediment, the inconsistent trend of vertical profiling of heavy metals through sediment cores shows Lebir River has the highest Fe, Pb, Zn and Al geoaccumulation while Relai River has the highest Mn geoaccumulation.