Geochemical Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Coastal Sediment Cores from Usukan Beach, Kota Belud, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract This article discussed on the status of heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) pollution in coastal sediment cores assess quality from Usukan Beach, Kota Belud. Several geochemical parameter analyses such as pH, moisture content (MC), organic matter (OM) granulometric size were performed to identify physico-chemical properties sediments that affect assessment metal pollution. Heavy samples extracted using aqua regia methods Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) employed for determination solutions. The results show changes acidic alkaline when heading inland seaward direction, with an average pH 5.6-8.5. fluctuate low moderately high, within range 4.9-21.9% 0.30-6.73%, respectively. are dominated by a sandy texture near marine environment change loam clay toward inland. hierarchical concentration shows Fe>Mn>Ni>Cr>Zn>Cu>Pb>As. Sediment is evaluated based guidelines (SQGs) indices geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination (CF), modified degree (mCd) load (PLI). indicated has only anthropogenic sources current study area safe