The accumulation of elements Ba, U, Cd and Mn with respect to depth was
determined in a 150 cm sediment core obtained from the mangrove forests of
Pulau Cik Wan Dagang, Kuala Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia. Generally, all
elements except Mn decrease with depth and their vertical profiles show a clear
boundary at about 70 cm deep. In order to assess the influence of heavy metal
pollution more precisely, enrichment factors (EF) were calculated. In this
study, U and Cd have EF values significantly greater than unity and may
therefore be considered to be predominantly anthropogenic in origin whereas
Ba and Mn which have EF values about unity are considered to be predominantly
terigenous in origin
