Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 30 Number 2 (2026): 1714

Research Article

Pollution assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediment of Jengka River, Pahang

Sabarina Md Yunus^*, Fazrul Razman Sulaiman, Nurun Nadhirah Md Isa, and Nur Nisa Najati Nazeri

Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pahang, 24600 Bandar Tun Abdul Razak Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia

^*Corresponding author: sabarina2020@uitm.edu.my

Received: 24 September 2025; Revised: 16 February 2026; Accepted: 23 February 2026; Published: 28 April 2026

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination in river sediments is a serious environmental problem since it has the potential to be persistent, posing long-term ecological hazards, particularly in developing nations like Malaysia. This study was conducted in the Jengka River, Pahang, Malaysia, particularly due to the presence of intensive agronomic activities. The objectives were to investigate the concentration of selected heavy metals, such as iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in the surface sediments of the Jengka River, to estimate the degree of contamination, and to identify potential heavy metal sources. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentration of heavy metals (mg/kg) was found in the following descending concentration order: Fe (0.51-0.60%) > Mn (174.93-712.73) > Pb (10.13-49.47) > Zn (17.00-28.00) > Cu (11.13-39.47) > Cr (14.33-21.80) > Ni (4.33-7.27) > Cd (0.40-0.80). Pollution indices, such as the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI), were employed to assess contamination level. All sampling locations exhibited some level of pollution, with Location 5 identified as the most impacted, likely due to nearby domestic and mechanical workshop activities. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that heavy metals may originate from both natural and anthropogenic processes. Continuous monitoring and effective pollution control are recommended to protect the Jengka River ecosystem.

Keywords: pollution level, sediment, heavy metals, Jengka River

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