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Geo-accumulation index and contamination factors of heavy metals (Zn and Pb) in urban river sediment

Environmental Geochemistry and Health volume 39, pages 1259–1271 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to appraise the levels of heavy metal contamination (Zn and Pb) in sediment of the Langat River (Selangor, Malaysia). Samples were collected randomly from 15 sampling stations located along the Langat River. The parameters measured were pH, redox potential, salinity, electrical conductivity, loss of ignition, cation exchanges capacity (Na, Mg, Ca, K), and metal ions (Zn and Pb). The geo-accumulation index (I geo) and contamination factor (C f) were applied to determine and classify the magnitude of heavy metal pollution in this urban river sediment. Results revealed that the I geo of Pb indicated unpolluted to moderately polluted sediment at most of the sampling stations, whereas Zn was considered to be within background concentration. The I geo results were refined by the C f values, which showed Pb with very high C f at 12 stations. Zinc, on the other hand, had low to moderate C f values. These findings indicated that the sediment of the Langat River is severely polluted with Pb. The Zn concentration at most sampling points was well below most sediment quality guidelines. However, 40% of the sampling points were found to have a Pb concentration higher than the consensus-based probable effect concentration of 128 mg/kg (concentrations above this value are likely to cause harmful effects). This result not only highlights the severity of Pb pollution in the sediment of the Langat River, but also the potential risk it poses to the environment.

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(Data from: Long and Morgan 1991; EC & MENVIQ 1992; Persaud et al. 1993; Smith et al. 1996; US EPA 1996; MacDonald et al. 2000)

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge the Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS, Project No. ERGS/1/2013/STWN01/UPM/02/2) from the Department of Higher Education Malaysia and the Research University Grant Scheme (RUGS, Project No. UPM/700-2/1/GP-IPB/2013) from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Hazzeman Haris, Ley Juen Looi, Ahmad Zaharin Aris, Nor Farhanna Mokhtar & Nur Ain Ayunie Ayob

  2. School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, 11800, Penang, Malaysia

    Hazzeman Haris

  3. Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Fatimah Md. Yusoff

  4. Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Fatimah Md. Yusoff

  5. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Abu Bakar Salleh

  6. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Sarva Mangala Praveena

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  1. Hazzeman Haris
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Haris, H., Looi, L.J., Aris, A.Z. et al. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factors of heavy metals (Zn and Pb) in urban river sediment. Environ Geochem Health 39, 1259–1271 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-017-9971-0

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Keywords

  • Geo-accumulation index
  • Heavy metal
  • Lead (Pb)
  • River sediment
  • Zinc (Zn)
  • Sediment quality guidelines