Sains Malaysiana 48(1)(2019): 45–59

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4801-06

Determination of the Sediment Contamination Level in Dangli Waters of Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, Kedah, Malaysia

(Pengenalpastian Tahap Pelumusan Sedimen di Perairan Dangli di Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark, Kedah, Malaysia

MAZLIN MOKHTAR¹, JAMIL TAJAM^1,2* & SUKARNO WAGIMAN³

¹Institute for Environment & Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

²Marine Research & Excellent Center (MAREC), Fakulti Sains Gunaan, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Perlis, 02600 Arau, Perlis Indera Kayangan, Malaysia

³Jabatan Taman Laut Malaysia Putrajaya, Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar, Aras 11, Wisma Sumber Asli, No. 25, Persiaran Perdana, 62574 Putrajaya, Federal Territory, Malaysia

Received: 6 February 2017/Accepted: 30 August 2018

ABSTRACT

Dangli Waters ecosystem is located at the north of Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. Apparently, this area is currently experiencing a significant deterioration of marine habitat. Therefore, 14 stations were set up in this study area to investigate the sediment for metal contents discharged into Dangli Waters using the ecological risk assessment. The sediment samples were collected during four seasons, namely South West Monsoon, First Inter Monsoon, North East Monsoon and Second Inter Monsoon. The spatial distribution pattern of heavy metals in sediment was properly determined as well as the seasonal variation of the contamination. From the results obtained, the average concentration of each heavy metal distributed in the surface sediment of Dangli Waters can be written in decreasing order as Fe>Cr>As>Co>Cd. From the observation, heavy metal concentrations of As was recorded the most higher profiles near to the cement plant production area. Meanwhile, for the pattern of seasonal changes, FIM season was defined as the season with higher concentrations of all metals in the surface sediment compared to other seasons. This is due to highly rainfall distribution and water runoff during this period, leading an increase of sediment deposition into the Dangli Waters. According to the contamination factor (C_f) for each metal, it was shown that some heavy metals such as As were at a risky level with the C_f value was higher than 6 (C_f >6). However, the degree of contamination (C_d) for each station was classified as moderate (7 ≤ C_d < 14), except for ST2 which showed a low degree of contamination.

Keywords: Contamination degree (C_d); contamination factor (C_f); heavy metal; sediment 

ABSTRAK

Ekosistem Perairan Dangli terletak di utara Langkawi UNESCO Geopark. Jelas sekali, kawasan ini sedang mengalami kemerosotan habitat marin yang amat ketara. Oleh yang demikian, 14 stesen kajian telah diwujudkan di perairan ini bagi mengkaji dan mengenal pasti taburan kepekatan logam berat yang dilepaskan ke Perairan Dangli dengan menggunakan penilaian risiko ekologi. Persampelan sedimen permukaan laut dijalankan ketika musim Monsun Barat Daya, Peralihan Monsun Pertama, Monsun Timur Laut dan Peralihan Monsun Kedua. Secara amnya, corak sebaran dan taburan logam berat dalam sedimen serta variasi bermusim ke atas kontaminasi telah diteliti dengan sempurna pada sepanjang tempoh kajian ini dijalankan. Daripada keputusan yang diperoleh, purata taburan kepekatan setiap logam berat di dalam sedimen permukaan Perairan Dangli boleh dinyatakan dalam urutan menurun iaitu Fe> Cr> As> Co> Cd. Daripada pemerhatian,, kepekatan logam berat bagi As mencatat profil kepekatan yang paling tinggi berhampiran dengan kawasan kilang pengeluaran simen. Manakala bagi corak perubahan musim pula, FIM ditafsirkan sebagai musim yang mempunyai purata kepekatan yang lebih tinggi bagi semua logam berbanding musim-musim yang lain. Ini adalah disebabkan oleh taburan hujan dan aliran air daratan yang sangat tinggi pada tempoh ini yang membawa kepada peningkatan pemendapan sedimen ke dalam Perairan Dangli. Menurut faktor pencemaran (C_f) bagi setiap logam, ia menunjukkan bahawa sesetengah logam berat seperti As berada pada tahap berisiko tinggi dengan kadar nilai C_f adalah lebih tinggi daripada nilai 6 (C_f > 6). Walau bagaimanapun, tahap pencemaran (C_d) bagi setiap stesen telah dikelaskan sebagai sederhana (7 ≤ C_d < 14), kecuali ST2 yang menunjukkan tahap pencemaran yang rendah.

Kata kunci: Darjah pencemaran (C_d); faktor pencemaran (C_f); logam berat; sedimen

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*Corresponding author; email: jamiltajam@perlis.uitm.edu.my