The status of heavy metal levels in a Ramsar Site, Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary: the impact of the anthropogenic inputs.

Distributions of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the surface sediments from two sites of the Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, Malaysia were monitored for a period of 6 months from October 2006 to March 2007. In December 2006, the concentration of Zn in one location was significantly ( p50.05) higher (3.91.3 mgkg1) than the other metals at both sites, but in the oxidizable organic fraction it was highest at both sites during October; with mean concentrations of 18mg kg1 at both locations. In the acid-reducible fraction, high concentrations of Pb (2.3 mg kg1) were detected at station 2 in February 2007, being highest among all four metals at both stations. The acid-reducible fraction found in Pb ranged from 0.10% to 3.1% in both stations. Percentages ranging from 51% to 96% were observed for all four metals in the resistant fraction throughout the sampling period. These results indicate low contributions from anthropogenic sources. The findings constitute a baseline data archive for future reference

Nitrate, ammonia and phosphate concentrations in the surface water of Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary, West. Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

This study was undertaken to compare the concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO2-N), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the surface intertidal waters of Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary over a four-month period (June to September, 2007). Three sampling stations were established in the Gula river estuary, labelled as Station 1, Station 2 and Station 3. The highest concentrations of SRP (55.92±7.88 μg/L), nitrate-N (85.68±24.33 μg/L) and TAN (85.91±6.54 μg/L) were recorded in the months of June, July and August, respectively whereas, the lowest concentrations of all the nutrients were recorded in September. The highest concentrations of the nutrients observed for the three months (June, July and August) coincided with the planting season of the nearby paddy fields in Kuala Kurau, Kuala Gula, Salinsing and some parts of Bagan Serai. This might indicate contamination of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients from fertilizer run-off. Therefore, a continuous monitoring, for the content of nutrient in the surface intertidal waters of the bird sanctuary, is recommended to observe any significant changes which may take place in the area. The results of this study would serve as an important baseline information for future reference