Application of moss as bio-monitor for heavy metals deposition in Port Dickson, Malaysia

Port Dickson in Malaysia is a sea-side township of mixed activities within the area, comprising of a coal-fired power plant, a petroleum refinery, a gas-fuelled power plant, and tourism with the visit of many road vehicles, especially during weekends and public holidays. The impact of emission from...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Jurnal Teknologi
Main Author: Saat A.; Mohamed N.A.; Hamzah Z.; Hamzah S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit UTM Press 2016
Online Access:https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84975087369&doi=10.11113%2fjt.v78.9020&partnerID=40&md5=3effde33a9bc54feef19b051d03df464
Description
Summary:Port Dickson in Malaysia is a sea-side township of mixed activities within the area, comprising of a coal-fired power plant, a petroleum refinery, a gas-fuelled power plant, and tourism with the visit of many road vehicles, especially during weekends and public holidays. The impact of emission from these activities to the environment has becomes a matter of concern to the authorities as well as local residents. The present study embarked on the use of mosses (Octoblepharum sp. & Isopterygium sp.) as long terms monitor of heavy metals emission from such activities. Mosses samples were collected on land area within 30 km radius from the town centre. Prepared samples were analysed for the concentration of As, U, Th, Fe, Cr and Zn using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. These metals are related to various industries, fuel combustion and refineries emissions. Although the results show no elevated concentration of the elements studied, except for Cr, the spatial pattern of heavy metal distributions observed reflected the energy-related activities and vehicular emissions in the study area. Enrichment Factor values of each element also in agreement with the distribution pattern. The research finding suggests that ‘moss-method’ is applicable for deposition measurement in vicinity of stationary as well as non-point sources. © 2016 Penerbit UTM Press. All rights reserved.
ISSN:1279696
DOI:10.11113/jt.v78.9020