Accumulation of heavy metals in sediment core from Kelantan river tributaries of Gua Musang, Kelantan

Several rivers around Gua Musang have been expected as polluted area due to waste discharge from ore mining and palm oil factories located near the rivers. However, more evidence that needed to support the theory. Therefore, this study has been carried out to determine the status of water quality from Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers at Gua Musang, Kelantan by determination of physical parameter and chemical parameter namely Fe, Zn, Pb, Mn and Al. In addition, the concentration of selected heavy metals was determined in the sediment cores in order to evaluate the accumulation trend of the heavy metal pollution from Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers. Moreover, the pollution level of heavy metals from Aring, Lebir and Relai Rivers were also investigated by using geo-accumulation index to assess the pollution level. The heavy metals were extracted from sediment matrices by digesting the dry samples with a mixture of HNO3/HCL (1:3; v/v) and analysed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). For the results, Lebir River showed the most polluted river compared to Aring and Relai Rivers. The spatial distribution of heavy metals suggest that the rivers were contaminated with Zn, Mn and Fe. While the vertical profile of heavy metals in sediment cores showed inconsistent trend. The geo-accumulation index of Zn at Lebir River showed unpolluted to moderately polluted and categorized in Class 1.