Analysis of Physio-chemical Parameters and Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil and Water of Ex-Mining Area of Bestari Jaya, Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

This paper includes preliminary soil and water analysis of former tin mining area of Bestari Jaya. The whole catchment covers an area of 2656.31 hectares. The present study area covers 92 hectares of catchment which includes two water ponds that flow downstream to Sungai Ayer Hitam that ultimately ends up into Sungai Selangor. Initially physio-chemical parameters and concentration of heavy metals Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, As³⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, Sn²⁺ in soil and ponds were evaluated. The metals are extracted by nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a closed vessel microwave digestion system and analyzed by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The method is validated by using standard reference material (NIST SRM 4354, 1643e) and results were compared with interim national water quality standards for Malaysia and found that the soil and water quality of area is degraded so it is concluded that Bestri Jaya ex-mining catchment has a high pollution potential due to mining activities and Sungai Ayer Hitam, recipient of catchment water is a highly polluted river. Different environmental aspects have also discussed in this paper for the future research during this project.