Chow, Geh Tsung (2009) Heavy metals concentration in the water and sediments of Lohan River, Ranau. Universiti Malaysia Sabah. (Unpublished)
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Abstract
The Lohan River is one of many river systems in the Ranau region which was once severely affected by the Mamut copper mine. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of heavy metals in the water and sediments of the Lohan River. Sampling was done on 26th November 2008. Water and sediment samples were collected from four sampling stations along downstream of the Lohan River. Water samples were filtered with a 0.45-μm membrane filter and acidified to pH<2 prior to analysis, whereas sediment samples were digested using aqua regia for the determination of total heavy metal concentrations. 10 heavy metals (i. e. As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, and Zn) were analyzed for this study, both in water and sediment samples collected. The results obtained were then compared with the Interim National Water Quality Standards (INWQS) for Malaysia, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) irrigation water standards, and for sediment analysis, the Provincial Sediment Quality Guidelines (PSQG) Ontario, Canada. Sample analyses were conducted by means of an Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). From the results obtained, only three heavy metals - Cd, Cu, and Mn - showed non-compliance with the Malaysian INWQS threshold limits, whereas cadmium was the only element to have exceeded its UNFAO recommended maximum for irrigation water. For sediment analysis; with reference to the PSQG; As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Ni showed concentrations in Lohan River to exceed their respective Severe Effect Levels (SEL). This is an indication of heavy pollution of Lohan River's sediments in terms of the mentioned heavy metals. The trend of heavy metal concentration in Lohan River's water was Fe>Mn>Ni>Cu>As>Zn>Cd>Co>Pb>Cr, whereas in sediment the trend was Fe>Cu>Ni>Mn>Cr>Zn>Pb>Co>As>Cd.
| Item Type: | Academic Exercise |
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| Keyword: | Lohan River, heavy metal, sediment, Mamut copper mine |
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences |
| Department: | SCHOOL > School of Science and Technology |
| Depositing User: | ADMIN ADMIN |
| Date Deposited: | 19 Feb 2016 12:24 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Oct 2017 17:30 |
| URI: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/12903 |
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