title: Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface sediments of the Bayan Lepas area, Penang, Malaysia.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Pb, Ni, V, and Zn) in the sediments of Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone of Penang, Malaysia. Ten sampling stations were selected and sediment samples were collected during low tide (2012-2013). Metals were analyzed and the spatial distribution of metals were evaluated based on GIS mapping. According to interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG), metal contents ranged from below low level to above high level at different stations. Based on the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) of sediment, sampling stations were categorized from unpolluted to strongly polluted. The enrichment factor (EF) of metals in the sediment varied between no enrichment to extremely high enrichment. The potential ecological risk index (RI) indicated Bayan Lepas FIZ was at low risk.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; Iranian Fisheries Research Organization (IFRO), P. O. Box: 14155-6116, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: shkhodami@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sharareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khodami
authors.affiliation: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Misni
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Surif
authors.affiliation: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia; School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Maznah
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: W O
authors.affiliation: Caspian Sea Ecology Research Center, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Daryanabard
mesh_terms: D004463:Ecology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008296:Malaysia; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Ecological risk assessment; Enrichment factor; Geoaccumulation index; Geographical information system; Heavy metals