The distribution of Co,Pb and Zn in the bottom sediment offshore of Kemaman,Terengganu,Malaysia during pre- and post-monsoon periods

This study focussed on heavy-metal concentrations in sediment off the coast of kemaman. sampling was conducted at 21 stations during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. sediment was analysed for total concentration of co,pb and zn using icp-ms after total acid digestion. the grain size of the sediment samples were measured by dry sieving and using a particle-size analyser. in addition,organic carbon content in the sediment was determined using the wet dichromate-oxidation method. the average concentration of co,pb and zn during the pre-monsoon season was 11.40±3.84 μg/g dry weight,44.08±33.40 μg/g dry weight and 254.90±141.02 μg/g dry weight,respectively. the average concentration of co,pb and zn during the post-monsoon season was 10.60±12.66 μg/g dry weight,17.54±30.79 μg/g dry weight and 110.71±58.14 μg/g dry weight,respectively. cu,pb and zn show poor correlation or negligible relationship with sediment particle size and organic carbon content. this study also found that all the elements have a mainly crustal origin rather than anthropogenic input with geoaccumulation index (igeo) value of less than 1.0 and enrichment factors (ef) of 0.69-2.91 which suggests minimal-to-moderate enrichment of the metals.