Sediment is an important part of heavy metal cycling in the coastal ecosystem, acting as a potential sink and source of inorganic and organic contaminants as environmental conditions change. The productivity of mangroves is utterly dependent on sediment enrichment. Moreover, mangrove sediment can trap pollutants discharged by households, industries, and agriculture activities. In this regard, it is essential to assess sediment quality in the presence–absence of heavy metals that are toxic to most living organisms. Thus, the question of how sediment quality is used as an index in the mangrove domain has arisen. Due to the many complex characteristics such as seasonal zones, tidal patterns, flora and fauna, and water, no specific method is used in Malaysia for assessing and monitoring mangrove sediment quality. Thus, the current study intended to develop a mangrove sediment quality index (MSQi) in the Matang mangrove forest in Perak, Malaysia. An area was selected based on the distinct level of mangrove disturbances. At 1.5 m depth, sediments were sampled in five segments (0–15, 15–30, 30–50, 50–100, and 100–150 cm). All the sediment physicochemical properties were then analysed. Fourteen variables were chosen and included in MSQi. This index categorises mangrove sediment levels as I = Very Bad, II = Bad, III = Moderate, IV = Good, and V = Excellent. MSQi will be used as a guideline in monitoring mangrove sediment pollution. In conclusion, the data analysis showed that the Sepetang River (SR) was highly disturbed, followed by the Tinggi River (TR) (moderately disturbed), and the Tiram Laut River (TLR) (least disturbed).

中文翻译：

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马来西亚马当红树林保护区红树林沉积物质量指数的开发：协同方法

沉积物是沿海生态系统中重金属循环的重要组成部分，随着环境条件的变化，它是无机和有机污染物的潜在汇和来源。红树林的生产力完全取决于沉积物的富集。此外，红树林沉积物可以捕获家庭、工业和农业活动排放的污染物。在这方面，必须在存在或不存在对大多数生物体有毒的重金属的情况下评估沉积物质量。因此，出现了如何将沉积物质量用作红树林领域指标的问题。由于季节性地带、潮汐模式、动植物群和水等许多复杂的特征，马来西亚没有使用特定的方法来评估和监测红树林沉积物的质量。因此，目前的研究旨在开发马来西亚霹雳州马塘红树林的红树林沉积物质量指数 (MSQi)。根据红树林干扰的不同程度选择了一个区域。在 1.5 m 深度处，沉积物被分成五个部分（0-15、15-30、30-50、50-100 和 100-150 cm）采样。然后分析所有沉积物的理化性质。选择了 14 个变量并将其包含在 MSQi 中。该指数将红树林沉积物水平分类为 I = 非常差、II = 差、III = 中等、IV = 好和 V = 极好。MSQi 将用作监测红树林沉积物污染的指南。总之，数据分析表明，Sepetang River (SR) 受到高度干扰，其次是 Tinggi River (TR)（中度干扰）和 Tiram Laut River (TLR)（最少干扰）。