Effects of anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal levels in the clams and sediments in a tropical river.
The present study aimed to assess the effects of anthropogenic activities on the heavy metal levels in the Langat River by transplantation of Corbicula javanica. In addition, potential ecological risk indexes (PERI) of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the river were also investigated. The correlation analysis revealed that eight metals (As, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in total soft tissue (TST) while five metals (As, Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn) in shell have positively and significantly correlation with respective metal concentration in sediment, indicating the clams is a good biomonitor of the metal levels. Based on clustering patterns, the discharge of dam impoundment, agricultural activities and urban domestic waste were identified as three major contributors of the metals in Pangsun, Semenyih and Dusun Tua, and Kajang, respectively. Various geochemical indexes for a single metal pollutant (geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factors (EF), contamination factor (Cf) and ecological risk (Er)) all agreed that Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn are not likely to cause adverse effect to the river ecosystem, but As and Pb could pose a potential ecological risk to the river ecosystem. All indexes (degree of contamination (Cd), combined pollution index (CPI) and PERI) showed that overall metal concentrations in the tropical river are still within safe limit. River metal pollution was investigated. Anthropogenic activities were contributors of the metal pollution. Geochemical indexes showed that metals are within the safe limit.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Koe Wei
KW
Wong
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. yapckong@hotmail.com.
Chee Kong
CK
Yap
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Rosimah
R
Nulit
Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Mohd Suhaimi
MS
Hamzah
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Soo Kien
SK
Chen
Inti International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
Wan Hee
WH
Cheng
Laboratory of Aquatic Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Ali
A
Karami
Biology Department, University College of Taymma, Taymma, P.O.Box 714, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Salman Abdo
SA
Al-Shami
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D008296:Malaysia; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Anthropogenic activities; Corbicula javanica; Ecological risk assessment; Heavy metals; Langat River