DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v24i2.1

Keywords: Heavy metals; water Sample; Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence; metal index

Abstract

The analysis of elemental concentrations as well as physiochemical parameters of water samples can determine the quality of a water system. The Temenggor area is known as one of the largest forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. Consequently, the Sustainability Development Goals have a significant effect on this area. This study aims to measure the basic physicochemical parameters as well as the concentrations of selected elements in water samples from this area. Measurements of basic physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, pressure, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (C), total dissolved solids (TDS), salinity, and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of freshwater samples from rivers such as Sungai Gadong Dalam, Sungai Gadong Luar and Sungai Kelam, as well as Tasik Temenggor, were done in situ using a YSI multiparameter probe meter. The concentrations of ten elements, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, U and Th were measured using an Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectrometer. The average concentrations of all elements, except for Zn, were found to be higher than the threshold levels specified in the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM). The correlation between the physicochemical data and elemental concentrations were evaluated using SPSS IBM 22 software. Seven strong correlation pairs were observed: temperature-pressure, SPC-conductivity, SPC-TDS, SPC-salinity, conductivity-TDS, conductivity-salinity, and TDS-salinity. Meanwhile, strong correlations were found between the concentrations of certain pairs of elements: As-Cr, As-Se, Cd-Cr, Cd-Zn, Cr-Pb, Cr-Zn and Pb-Zn. Cluster analysis grouped the 15 sampling locations into two clusters, Cluster 1 (low elemental concentrations) and Cluster 2 (high elemental concentrations). The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and metal index (MI) values were also calculated to assess the contamination levels of water samples in this area. Most of the areas exhibited HPI values above 100, indicating heavy metal pollution.