The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 12 No 2 (2008): 458 – 467

 

 

 

 

POSSIBLE SOURCE AND PATTERN DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN URBAN SOIL AT KUALA TERENGGANU TOWN CENTER

 

Foo Toon Fong, Poh Seng Chee, Asrul Azani Mahmood and Norhayati Mohd Tahir *

 

Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)

 Mengabang Telipot, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

 

*Corresponding author: hayati@umt.edu.my

 

Abstract

Total concentration of five trace metals (Cu, Mn, Cd, Pb and Zn) and two major elements (Al and Fe) as well as soil parameters (soil organic matter, pH and cation exchange capacity) were measured in soils of Kuala Terengganu town center. 40 surface soils (0-20cm) were collected during the month of August, 2005. The soil samples (< 600µm) were subjected to acid digestion and the concentration of total metal was measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Results show that the range of metals observed were 4.16 - 40.90 mgkg^-1, 83.70 - 380.80 mgkg^-1, 2940.00 – 28600.00 mgkg^-1, below detection limit (BDL) - 4.88 mgkg^-1, 20.00 – 219.00 mgkg^-1, 7.47 - 171.00 mgkg^-1, and 8840.00 - 62500.00 mgkg^-1 for Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Zn and Al, respectively. Factor and Pearson’s correlation analyses suggest that the Fe, Mn and Al originates from the parent materials, whereas the possible sources of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn are due to anthropogenic input such as vehicular traffic and metal corrosion since there are no major industrial activities in Kuala Terengganu. In addition, calculation of enrichment factors (Efs) for trace metals showed that Pb, Cd and Zn were significantly enriched, providing additional support to the contention that Pb, Cd and Zn level in Kuala Terengganu town center soils are due to human related activities.

 

Keywords: Surface soil, Kuala Terengganu Town Centre, trace metals, major element, AAS

 

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