Distribution of Selected Dissolved and Particulate Heavy Metals in Lake Kenyir, Malaysia

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the concentration and possible sources of dissolved and particulate heavy metals in Lake Kenyir, Terengganu, Malaysia. The heavy metals studied included Cd, Fe, Pb, Zn and Cu. The findings indicated that the mean concentrations found in the dissolved form for surface waters were in decreasing order of Fe>Zn>Pb~Cu>Cd. A similar trend was also recorded for the particulate form i.e., Fe>Zn>Pb~Cu>Cd. In terms of vertical distribution, most of the heavy metals showed a trend of increasing concentrations from the surface to the bottom waters. The main sources of heavy metals were from anthropogenic activities such as discharge of untreated sewage, surface runoff and boat activity. However, the levels of dissolved heavy metals were still lower compared to other study areas in Malaysia. The dissolved heavy metal concentrations were equivalent with Class II based on the National Water Quality Standard for Malaysia.