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Author(s): Bede Udechukwu, Ogochukwu Chiamah, Clementina Uwa, Ahmad Ismail.

Volume/Issue: Volume 9, Issue 2 (2026)

Page No: 111-123

Journal: African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research (AJENSR)

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Abstract:

Mangrove ecosystems are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, leading to the accumulation of heavy metals in coastal sediments. This study investigated the levels, distribution, and potential sources of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in mangrove intertidal sediments of Sungai Puloh (SGP) and Sungai Tengi (SGT) along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Surface sediment samples were collected from eight stations and analyzed using the Sequential Extraction Technique (SET) to determine metal partitioning into exchangeable, acid-reducible, oxidisable-organic, and resistant fractions. Total metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while total organic matter (TOM) was determined via the loss-on-ignition method. Mean concentrations of Cu ranged from 48.83 to 85.49 µg/g in SGP and 8.30 to 35.80 µg/g in SGT, whereas Zn ranged from 279.51 to 321.55 µg/g in SGP and 99.75 to 1138.38 µg/g in SGT. Geochemical fractionation revealed that a significant proportion of Cu and Zn in SGP occurred in non-resistant fractions (24.4–29.8% for Cu and 59.8–65.9% for Zn), indicating higher anthropogenic influence compared to SGT. Elevated Cu levels in SGP were attributed to industrial effluents and maritime activities, while high Zn concentrations in SGT were linked to domestic waste and agricultural runoff. A positive correlation between TOM and metal concentrations suggests that organic matter plays a role in metal retention and mobility within sediments. Overall, the findings indicate that anthropogenic inputs significantly influence heavy metal contamination in these mangrove ecosystems, with potential ecological and human health implications. Continuous monitoring and improved management strategies are recommended to mitigate further contamination.

Keywords:

Anthropogenic influence, Cu and Zn, Mangrove sediment, Total organic matter.

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