Particulate Metal Contamination Assessment in Surabaya Coast, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Surabaya’s coasts, situated in an active metropolitan region, threatened by metal contamination, which can be found in particulate matter. However, data of suspended particulate matter (SPM) and particulate metals on the Surabaya Coast are scarce. This study aims to systematically evaluate the impact of trace metals on the environment through particulate metal analysis. Water sample was taken in May 2017 at 17 sites, and analyzed using the acid digestion procedure and measured by ICP-MS. The results show that SPM levels range from 10.80 – 51.80 mg/L, while the concentrations of particulate metals range from 0 – 2.78 mg/kg, 1.14 – 130.77 mg/kg, 3.43 – 60.19 mg/kg and 0.87 – 7.00 mg/kg dry weight for Cd, Cu, Pb, and As, respectively. The location of Surabaya coast might affects salinity and temperature where eastern part is more affected by Madura Strait, but metal concentration are all affected by riverine input. Based on the Geo-accumulation Index and Pollution Load Index, several sites on the Surabaya’s coasts are polluted. However, they have low-level toxicity and insignificant mortality, indicating the Surabaya Coast environments is still safe for living habitat. Meanwhile, particulate metal concentrations are relatively high in several locations, possibly caused by the port, marine tourism, and other anthropogenic activities.