Concentration of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) detected in Tallo River sediment

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to determine the concentrations of metals in the sediment hotspots of the Tallo River in the Manggala Subdistrict of Makassar, South Sulawesi. Metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) were selected for analysis because they have the potential to act as sources of metal pollutants in the Tallo River. Sediment sampling was conducted at three stations, with three replicates at each station. The three stations, were determined based on the presence of polluted water. Subsequently, the samples were analyzed in accordance with the APHA 23rd Edition (2017) method 3112; 3111B standard. The results demonstrated notable variations in the metal concentrations among the sampling sites. The average Hg concentration at all stations was relatively low, with an average of <0.0001 mg/kg. The highest mean concentration of Pb (p<0.05) was found at station 2, which was an area polluted by residential waste, with a value of 34.38±0.55 mg/kg. The highest mean concentration of Cu (p>0.05) was 35.82±12.11 mg/kg, with this value being observed in all stations. The concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Cu did not exceed the threshold levels permitted by the quality guidelines of the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ANZECC and ARMCANZ) in 2000 and most recently the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in 2004.

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