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4629615 
Journal Article 
Effect of Some Heavy Metals Contamination in Groundwater of Mekong River Basin in Cambodia 
Husinlo, M; Musta, B; Sudirman, F; Phan, K 
2017 
1 
Advanced Science Letters
ISSN: 1936-6612
EISSN: 1936-7317 
23 
2 
1433-1436 
WOS:000430814700171 
Heavy metals contamination in groundwater is a concern that affects distinctive number of population along the Mekong River Basin in Cambodia. This research is conducted to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals in groundwater around Mekong River Basin and to evaluate the potential source of heavy metals from a geological perspective in the rocky outcrops from the surrounding area. Approximately 21 sampling location from Tbong Khmum, Kandal, Kratie, and Kampong Cham in Cambodia have been selected, where sample of groundwater, sediment and rock was collected for analysis. Arsenic, chromium and lead concentration in groundwater, sediment and rock is analyzed using ICP-OES, while rock thin section is used to identify the mineralogical content in rock sample. The Interim Freshwater Sediment Quality Guidelines (IFSQG 2001) limit of arsenic and chromium exceeds in some area of Tbong Khmum and Kampong Cham. All four provinces exceeds the arsenic and lead limits in drinking water by World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality (WHO 2011) of 10 mu g/L (0.01 mg/L), reading for chromium did not exceed the limits of 50 mu g/L (0.05 mg/L). The result of geochemical analysis in rock samples collected from the research area shows the significant average concentration of heavy metals from different types of rock sample. The result shows that the geological background in the study area is believed has potential to influence the high concentration of As, Pb and Cr into the surrounding area; that would lead to the enrichment of heavy metal in sediment and contaminate the groundwater. 
Heavy Metal; Mekong River Basin; Groundwater; Cambodia