eISSN: 2672-7226 © Penerbit UMT Journal of Sustainability Science and Management Volume 15 Number 4, June 2020: 109-119 DISTRIBUTION, SOURCES AND MODIFIED DEGREE OF CONTAMINATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN LINGGI ESTUARY SURFACE SEDIMENTS, MALAYSIA MD SUHAIMI ELIAS* 1,2 , SHARIFF IBRAHIM 1 , KAMARUDIN SAMUDING 3 , JEREMY ANDY DOMINIC DAUNG 3 , NESAMALAR KANTASAMY 1 , SHAMSIAH AB RAHMAN 2 AND AZIAN HASHIM 2 1 School of Chemistry and Environment, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University Technology MARA (UiTM), 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. 2 Analytical Chemistry Application Group (ACA), Waste and Environmental Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. 3 Environmental Tracer Application Group (E-TAG), Waste and Environmental Technology Division, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia. *Corresponding author: mdsuhaimi@nm.gov.my Submitted: 8 September 2019 Accepted: 5 March 2020 Introduction Estuaries can be efficient traps for suspended matter that are commonly associated with the elements (major and trace metals) and organic compounds (Liu et al., 2018) China. Sediments were analysed for heavy metals (Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Contaminant plumes of trace elements are usually conveyed out to sea by rivers, and significant processes of sedimentation will occur in estuaries. The geochemistry processes of trace element accumulation in estuary sediments involve the mixing of suspended sediments (trace element pollution); resuspension of sediments by waves, tidal effects and dredging activities; mobilization and precipitation of sediments in the water column; flocculation and coagulation of sediments; and, adsorption and desorption of sediments due to salinity and/or turbidity effects (Zwolsman & Eck, 1999). Studies on sediment elemental pollution due to major, trace and rare earth elements in estuaries and coastal areas of Malaysia are still limited (Looi et al., 2013; Elias et al., 2018a). The sources of trace element contamination in marine and freshwater sediments mainly originate from two sources, namely anthropogenic and geogenic processes. The major activities that contribute to anthropogenic process are sand mining, logging, land clearing, road construction, manufacturing, domestic sewage, crop planting (palm oil and rubber), livestock farming and shipping activities (Yap et al., 2010; Ashraf et al., 2017; Elias et al., 2018a; 2018b). Meanwhile, geogenic process occurs with weathering of soil and rocks, coastal and riverbank erosion, terrestrial runoff and atmosphere deposition (Ashraf et al., 2017; Elias et al., 2018b). Abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the trace elements of barium (Ba), bromine (Br), cesium (Cs), cobalt (Co), hafnium (Hf), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), rubidium (Rb), scandium (Sc) and vanadium (V) in the surface sediments of Linggi estuary in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, using the neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique. Results showed that the average concentration of Br, Cs, Hf, Rb, Sc and V were 75.1, 12.6, 10.0, 146, 10.6 and 80.5 mg/kg, respectively, which were all higher than the upper continental crust (UCC) reference values. However, the average concentration values of Ba, Co, Mn, and Fe were 272, 6.39, 350, and 26,547 mg/kg, respectively, which were all relatively lower compared to the UCC values of the respective elements. The provenance of Br and Hf were from seawater and marine organisms, while Cs and V came from from anthropogenic activities, such as discharge from electronic factories and vehicle workshops. The element of Rb and Sc originated from geogenic processes, such as erosion, landslide and weathering. Overall, the trace element contamination in surface sediments of Linggi estuary was categorised as moderate to highly modified degree of contamination (mC d ), and these could result in adverse effects on benthic dwelling organisms and aquatic life. Keywords: Linggi estuary, trace element, concentration, modified degree of contamination. http://doi.org/10.46754/jssm.2020.06.011