Interpretation of anthropogenic input of metals in the South China Sea bottom sediments off Terengganu (Malaysia) coastline using Al as a reference element N. A. M. Shazili, 1∗ B. Y. Kamaruzzaman, 1 N. A. Antonina, 1 S. Zauyah, 2 J. Bidai, 1 A. A. Shamsudin, 1 and A. R. Kamil 1 1 Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Marine Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Mengabang Telipot, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia 2 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ∗ Corresponding Author: E-mail:nazhar@umt.edu.my The metal concentrations in surface sediment of the South China Sea off the Terengganu coastline were determined. Cu, Cr and Zn concentrations were comparable to values for offshore regions of the South China Sea and of concentrations of coastal sediments from the more developed west coast of Malaysia. Direct comparisons with earth crust values for Cd and Pb ratios to Al indicate anthropogenic pollution by these metals. As the sediments of the area studied are composed of significant proportions of quartz and carbonate, from shells and coral, direct ratioing to Al would result in anomalous values. Thus enrichment factor (EF) values using Al as a reference element were determined and showed that sampling sites off the major rivers of Terengganu were anthropogenically influenced by Pb and Cd. Sources of pollution are probably sewage, agricultural wastes and atmospheric deposition of Pb from the use of leaded petrol. Keywords: normalization, enrichment factor, Pb, Cd Introduction The coast of Terengganu State consists of a shallow South China Sea environment and a number of islands that are surrounded by coral reefs. The sediments are composed of sandy muds with a high content of coral debris. Along the coast are found numerous lagoon sys- tems inhabited by mangrove forest, the largest of which is found at the Setiu lagoon. Urban areas that may con- tribute to anthropogenic input of metals are at Kuala Besut town to the north of the study area (Figure 1) and Kuala Terengganu town to the south of the study area. Some small-scale industries are found only at Kuala Terengganu. Most of the other parts of the coastline are underdeveloped, consisting of coastal villages. The rivers that enter the South China Sea, notably from the northern region of the study area, may be a source of sewage, agricultural chemicals from oil palm and rub- ber plantations and of waste water from shrimp aqua- culture ponds. Studies on metal concentrations in coastal sediments of the Terengganu coast are limited to investigations of nearshore sediments and of the estuaries of Terengganu River and the Setiu River and other smaller rivers. Al- though it has been shown that concentrations of an- thropogenic metals are relatively low and within earth crust values, there is a need to quantify baseline values in the coastal sediments as the coastal environment of Terengganu State is under intense development. Aqua- culture actvities, in earth ponds and in floating cages 47 Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 10(1):47–56, 2007. Copyright C  2007 AEHMS. ISSN: 1463-4988 print / 1539-4077 online DOI: 10.1080/14634980701201681