Heavy metal content in estuaries water and sediment of Banten Bay, Indonesia

Abstract

The primary economic activity in the estuaries of Banten Bay is fisheries. To maintain their productivity, it is essential to ensure good water quality, which requires monitoring of heavy metal content in both water and sediment. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate heavy metal content in estuaries’ water and sediment of Banten Bay. A survey was conducted in four estuaries, namely Karangantu, Wadas, Cengkok, and Pamong. Heavy metal content in estuaries water was analyzed in April and October 2021, while heavy metal content in estuaries sediment was analyzed in October 2021. Other parameters were analyzed in the laboratory or in situ. The analysis showed that the lead (Pb) content in the estuaries’ water exceeded the standard in April but met the standard in October, while the iron (Fe) and cadmium (Cd) content in the water fulfilled the standard in both months. The Pb, Fe, and Cd content in the estuaries’ sediment also met the standard. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the Pb content in the water was influenced by organic carbon (C organic), while the Cd content was affected by total suspended solids (TSS), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), salinity, and water depth. Furthermore, the Pb and Fe content in the sediment was influenced by pH, while the Cd content was affected by C organic.