Copper and Zinc in intertidal surface sediment and Telescopium telescopium from Lukut River, Malaysia

Abstract

Lukut River, which is located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, flows into the Straits of Malacca through mangrove areas and receives many kinds of effluent from human activities. Before 1999, Lukut River also received effluent from pig farming activities besides oil palm mills, urbanisation, and agricultural activities. All those activities were reported to elevate copper and zinc in the environment. Now aquacultural activities such as shrimp ponds are developing along the Lukut River. In this study, copper and zinc were analysed in sediment and Telescopium telescopium collected from intertidal areas in order to assess the levels of Cu and Zn in the Lukut River. The results show that Copper and Zinc in surface sediments are within the range of 37 to 100μgg^<1> and 100 to 210μgg^<1> respectively. Twenty to 60% of copper and 40 to 63% of zinc are anthropogenic input and these values are considered high in coastal areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Copper and zinc levels in Telescopium telescopium are between 50-60μgg^<-1> and 35-60μgg^<-1> respectively. There are some inconsistencies in the correlation of Cu and Zn levels in surface sediments and Telescopium telescopium from Lukut River. More studies on the behaviour of Cu and Zn in sediments and Telescopium telescopium are needed before recommending Telescopium telescopium as a good monitoring agent. High levels of Cu and Zn in the Lukut River may affect the shrimp aquaculture and bioresources of the Lukut estuaries