STABLE ISOTOPES OF CARBON, NITROGEN, AND SULPHUR AS POLLUTION SOURCE INDICATORS IN KUALA SELANGOR NATURE PARK

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities such as changes of land use for coastal development are the major factors affecting the sustainability of mangrove area. Mangrove forests in Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP) is one of the areas that should be monitored for any potential source of pollution, and this can be performed by using stable isotopes as the important indicators. Vegetation samples from several palm and mangrove species were analysed for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S stable isotopes. The samples were collected from nine different locations comprising of KSNP area, water canal, residential area, sluice gate, aquaculture area, landslide area, agriculture area, jetty and river confluence area. The δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S value in the samples are found to be ranged from -33.05‰ to -13.33‰, +1.69‰ to +9.27‰, and +7.83‰ to +8.50‰, respectively. IsoSource modelling software was used and found that 50% is the highest source proportion identified in aquaculture location demonstrating that the area is the main pollution source in this study. The findings from this study could be used for further control measures by local authority in order to preserve the flora and fauna in KSNP.