Assessment of heavy metals pollution in sediment of Citarum River, Indonesia

Abstract

Heavy metals have been reported to accumulate in sediment of Citarum River. The measurement of total heavy metals may not be able to provide information about the exact dimension of pollution, thus the determination of different fractions assumed great importance. This study was performed to determine chemical fractions of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd) in sediment collected at 8 locations from Citarum River. The sequential extraction procedure was used to extract heavy metals in water-soluble, acid-soluble, MnO occluded, organically bound, FeO occluded and residual fraction in sediment. Bioavailability and potential ecological risk level of heavy metals were evaluated based on bioavailability factor (BF) and risk assessment code (RAC) method. The results showed that Cu, Ni, Cr were mostly in residual form, indicate those from geological sources. Cu had low bioavailability and no risk in all sediment samples of Citarum River. Ni and Cr each was found to have risk at 2 locations. Pb and Cd were found dominantly in non-residual fraction, suggest those from anthropogenic sources. BF and RAC analysis of Pb and Cd suggest that there is a potential risk to the aquatic environment.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Status in the Middle Sector of the Citarum River

“…Although increasing concentration occurs, all Fe sediment is still below the acceptable 20,000 mg/kg level. The concentration of Fe in the literature [9] is used as a reference because it has the same river basin, but Fe is not permitted at this point.…”

“…Cadmium concentration at all sampling points was below the Limit of Detection/LoD 0.002 mg/land and below acceptable sediment standard 1.5 mg/kg. The Cd concentration in the Citarum River (Nanjung) sediment has a Cd value of 13 mg/L as a comparison [9].…”

“…Other factors such as volume, time, and rainfall intensity can influence the Pb deposition rate in sediments [18]. The concentration of Pb in the sediment of the Citarum River (Nanjung) has a Pb value of 22,9 mg/L as a comparison [9].…”

“…It was assumed that this area received more heavy metal from human activity at the upstream area. Previous studies have revealed heavy metal concentration in Citarum water quality [9], but still limited studies on sediment. Heavy metals of iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn).…”