Sediment-associated metals levels along the sewer-natural treatment wetland continuum, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • 2015 Taylor & Francis. Sediment deposited within open sewers of Phnom Penh and the natural wetland that treats the waste was sampled and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Mean levels of Pb, Zn (P<0.05), and Cu (P=0.08) were greater in the sewer samples than the wetland, while As was not different (P>0.2), and Mn was greater (P<0.06) in the wetland. Pb, Cu, and Zn levels generally were lower at the wetland outlet and in quiescent areas, suggesting deposition occurs along the sewer/wetland continuum. Background (natural) levels of Mn and As are higher in soils/sediments of this region and levels in the wetland likely reflect these background levels than enrichment from anthropogenic activity. Although 60% of all metals levels in the wetland samples exceeded USEPA threshold effect concentrations, results of recent studies that analyzed fish and vegetables from the wetland showed a small health risk associated with consumption. The XRF was a good tool for environmental analysis in a developing country.

published proceedings

  • Urban Water Journal

author list (cited authors)

  • Sereyrath, L., Irvine, K. N., Murphy, T. P., & Wilson, K.

citation count

  • 6

complete list of authors

  • Sereyrath, Lim||Irvine, KN||Murphy, TP||Wilson, K

publication date

  • November 2016