%0 Journal Article
%T Pollution Status of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments Collected from West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
%A Tijjani Rufa¡¯i Buhari
%A Ahmad Ismai
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 7
%N 10
%P 1-9
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2020
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1106829
%X The present study examined status of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Ni) pollution in the surface sediments of west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Heavy metals concentrations were determined by using air acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) Perkin Elmer Analyst 800. The results of particle size analysis of the surface sediments indicate high metals concentrations at sampling sites with high content of sand and clay particles. The results of Pearson¡¯s correlation analysis based on the relationship between particle size distribution and total heavy metals, and the relationship between the studied metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Ni) revealed significant correlations at (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) except few cases were non-significant correlations were observed. The Igeo values ranged between Igeo class 1 (unpolluted to moderately polluted) to Igeo class 5 (strongly to very strongly polluted) and the EF of no enrichment (EF < 1) to severe enrichment (EF = 10 - 25) depending on the sampling sites and the heavy metal. Lead showed the highest Igeo values at all the sampling sites with exception of Bg. Lalang (class 1) and (EF = 10 - 25) at two sampling sites which might suggest the metal was significantly impacted by anthropogenic sources at the sampling sites. The pollution load index (PLI) indicates strong signs of pollution deterioration by the studied metals at all the sampling sites. The order of sampling sites from highest to lowest PLI values was; 2 > 5 > 3 > 1 > 6 > 4. The Igeo, EF and PLI values indicate heavy metals contamination in the study area, particularly Pb. Considerable attention should be made at sampling sites that showed higher metals contamination in order to monitor metals pollution and save its biological components from deterioration.
%K Heavy Metals
%K Surface Sediments
%K Pollution Indices
%K West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/5893085