title: Application of geoaccumulation index and enrichment factors on the assessment of heavy metal pollution in the sediments.
abstract: An investigative study was carried out in Langat River to determine the heavy metal pollution in the sediment with 22 sampling stations selected for the collection of sediment samples. The sediment samples were digested and analyzed for extractable metal ((48)Cd, (29)Cu, (30)Zn, (33)As, (82)Pb) using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Parameters, such as pH, Eh, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and loss on ignition (LOI) were also determined. The assessment of heavy metal pollution was derived using the enrichment factors (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I(geo)). This study revealed that the sediment is predominantly by As > Cd > Pb > Zn > Cu. As recorded the highest EF value at 187.45 followed by Cd (100.59), Pb (20.32), Zn (12.42) and Cu (3.46). This is similar to the I(geo), which indicates that the highest level goes to As (2.2), exhibits moderately polluted. Meanwhile, Cd recorded 1.8 and Pb (0.23), which illustrates that both of these elements vary from unpolluted to moderately polluted. The Cu and Zn levels are below 0, which demonstrates background concentrations. The findings are expected to update the current status of the heavy metal pollution as well as creating awareness concerning the security of the river water as a drinking water source.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Forensics Research Centre, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nur Aliaa
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Shafie
authors.forename: Ahmad Zaharin
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Aris
authors.forename: Mohamad Pauzi
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Zakaria
authors.forename: Hazzeman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haris
authors.forename: Wan Ying
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Noorain Mohd
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Isa
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D008296:Malaysia; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical