Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in water resources has become a serious and hazardous environmental problem all over the world because of its non-biodegradability, emanating from multiple sources, easy accumulation, and biological toxicity. This research was carried out to study the level and distribution of heavy metals at different sampling locations (upstream, midstream, and downstream), at different depths (0.5 m and 1.5 m from surface water level), and during low tide and high tide conditions in the Miri River of Miri City in Malaysia. The river water samples were collected and analyzed for Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentration of Ca was found to be the highest in the Miri River, followed by Mg and Fe, and with traces of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. An increase in the concentration of heavy metals, such as Cu, Mg, and Ni, was observed while flowing from upstream to downstream of the Miri River. Concentrations of heavy metals, such as Ca, Mg, Cu, and Zn, were clearly lower at 1.5 m depth than at 0.5 m depth. High tides in the river decrease the concentration of heavy metals, such as Ca, Cu, Mn, and Ni, compared to low tides. From this research, it gets clear that using the Miri River water for domestic and recreational purposes, washing, and fishing is detrimental to human health and the environment.
Highlights
Water resources are an important natural resource for life on earth
There is no limit provided in the guidelines for Ca concentration in the National Water Quality Standards (NWQS) for Malaysia [24], but the water hardness should be paid attention to before using the river water for any type of use
Concentrations of heavy metals, such as Ca, Cu, Mn, and Ni, were observed to be lower in high tide conditions than in low tide conditions, whereas no clear trend was obtained in remaining metals
Summary
Water is an irrefutable resource for domestic purposes, agriculture (e.g. irrigation, animal husbandry, etc.), various industries, energy production, and providing many ecosystem services (e.g. tourism, recreational activities, etc.). Water pollution has become a serious concern, especially in developing countries, due to the direct discharge of wastewater into rivers and lakes without treatment [3,4,5]. Water quality is one of the key problems in the aquatic environment. The direct discharge of wastes and industrial by-products associated with toxic compounds, without proper treatment, into water resources represents an ongoing environmental problem due to their possible impact on the aquatic environment or river ecosystem, and a potential effect on public health [7]. The pollution of water resources directly affects the quality and quantity of water for irrigation and drinking water and increases the financial burden to treat or make it useable [6]
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