DISTRIBUTION OF METALS IN CISANGGARUNG ESTUARY SEDIMENT, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA

Abstract

Volcanic activities have infl uenced the Cisanggarung estuary in western Cirebon Regency, altering metal concentrations in the bottom sediment. Observation of metal content in the ocean there was carried out in August 2009. Sediment samples were collected at 16 stations along the Cisanggarung coastline. The aim of this work was to determine the spatial distribution of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the sediment of the Cisanggarung estuary. Sediment was destructed using 3 acids: nitric acid, chloride acid and peroxide acid, which was then analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry based on the US EPA 3050b method. The highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the sediment were 0.73 mg/kg dry weight, 31.4 mg/kg dry weight, 23.9 mg/kg dry weight and 143 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The metals in the sediment had accumulated near the shoreline, up to ï¬ ve kilometers away from the river mouth, indicating that terrestrial area and sediment fractions infl uenced their distribution.