Evaluation of Sewage Molecular Markers in A Highly Industrialized Zone in Peninsular Malaysia

The anthropogenic inputs that have serious effects on riverine and coastline ecosystems could be identified using organic chemical tracers like linear alkylbenzenes (LABs). In order to identify the LABs, sediment samples taken from the Kim Kim river and the Port Dickson coast were collected. The origins of the LABs were discovered and identified with the aid of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The Pearson correlation coefficient, Post Hoc Tests, LSD Techniques, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to establish the significance of differences in the LABs distribution and concentrations among sampling sites at p <0.05. Internal over exterior (I/E) congeners, homologs of C13 and C12, and long over short chain (L/S) were employed to determine the LABs degradation levels and sewage treatment. According to the statistical analysis of the study findings, LABs concentration in the tested areas ranged between 88.3; 112.0 and 119.0; 256.0 ng∙g−1 dw, respectively. With a high number of C13-LAB homologs in the majority of sampling locations, LAB homologs were substantially different at p < 0.05. The fact that the computed LAB ratios (I/E) fell between 1.7; 2.0 and 2.0; 4.1, showed that the investigated locations received effluents from sources related to primary and secondary treatment. In the locations that were investigated, LAB degradation ranged between 34, 38%, 40, and 64%. In conclusion, the need for ongoing wastewater treatment system upgrades and the strong markers of LABs in tracking sewage pollution.