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Historical variations of Bera Lake (Malaysia) sediments geochemistry using radioisotopes and sediment quality indices

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Abstract

The Bera Lake basin is a lacustrine mire system and the largest natural lake in Peninsular Malaysia. Three cores were collected from the lake sediments in order to assess sediment quality and ecological risks for aquatic life and human health. An index analysis approach (C f , C d , E r , and IR) and fallout 210Pb and 137Cs radioisotopes were applied to assess the impacts of environmental evolutionary changes. Sediment chronology was determined using the Constant Rate of Supply model with the resultant ages verified by 137Cs horizons. Although the general contamination factors indicate low risk conditions in Bera Lake the risks associated with individual layers ranged from moderate to considerable. Five deforestation phases can be identified in the dated sediment cores with distinct variations in heavy metal influxes since 1972. These phases are in excellent agreement with the dates of land clearance and development projects undertaken over the past four decades. This study has highlighted the capability of contamination factors and chronological methods in environmental evolutionary studies where catchments have experienced extensive land use changes. The destiny of heavy metal influxes into a lake can also be revealed using this methodology.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Institute of Research Management and Monitoring (IPPP), University Malaya for the funding to accomplish this valuable research. We are also grateful to Mr. Mohd Yusri Abdul Rahim (Hydrology lab. Manager), for his kind gesture during ICP–MS operation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Mohammadreza Gharibreza, John Kuna Raj & Ismail Yusoff

  2. Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, P. O. Box 13445-1136, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammadreza Gharibreza

  3. Department of Geography and Environment, Sultan Idris University of Education, 35900, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia

    Zainudin Othman

  4. Application Group (e-TAG), Division of Environment and Waste Management, Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia), Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Wan Zakaria Wan Muhamad Tahir

  5. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Muhammad Aqeel Ashraf

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  1. Mohammadreza Gharibreza
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  2. John Kuna Raj
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  3. Ismail Yusoff
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  5. Wan Zakaria Wan Muhamad Tahir
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Correspondence to Mohammadreza Gharibreza.

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Gharibreza, M., Raj, J.K., Yusoff, I. et al. Historical variations of Bera Lake (Malaysia) sediments geochemistry using radioisotopes and sediment quality indices. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 295, 1715–1730 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2270-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2270-4

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