Copper in water, sediment and strombus canarium at south western coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Cu concentration was determined in water, sediment and soft tissue of deposit feeder Strombus canarium collected from two sites at western coast of Johor Straits, Malaysia. The sites are located at Tanjung Bin and the seagrass bed near Tanjung Kupang. The study found higher concentration in Strombus canarium from seagrass bed than those in Tanjung Bin which were 7.02 and 3.71 μg/g respectively. Smaller concentration in Strombus canarium from Tanjung Bin is due to less Cu accumulation from its surrounding. However, the concentrations were within the permissible limit of Malaysian Food Standard. The concentration of Cu in water at both sites exceeded the Malaysia Marine Water Quality Criteria and Standard for Class E, whereas sediment is classified as moderately polluted based on the proposed quality by Environmental Protection Agency.