Geochemistry of Sediment in the Major Estuarine Mangrove Forest of Terengganu Region, Malaysia

Abstract

Surface sediments collected from seven estuarine mangrove forests of Terengganu region (100 sampling points) were anaylzed for Pb, Cu and Zn using the sensitive Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The average concentration of Pb, Cu and Zn were 10.5±7.12 µg g^-1 dry weights, 31.1±16.5 µg g^-1 dry weights and 20.8±13.3 µg g^-1 dry weights, respectively. The statistical analysis of Pearson correlation matrix has proved that there is a significant relationship between the metal concentration and the grain size. The concentration of Pb, Cu and Zn decreased with the decrease of mean size particle, suggesting their association with the fine fraction of the sediments. In this study, Enrichment Factors (EF) were calculated to assess whether the concentrations observed represent background or contaminated levels. The analysis suggests that all studied elements were considered to be dominantly terrigenous in origin. Data obtained also provides a scientific discovery and data for a better understanding and proper management of the mangrove forests of Terengganu.