1. ALHASSAN USMAN GABI - Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University PMB 11
Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.
2. NAZIRAH MOHAMAD ABDULLAH - Center of Applied Geomatics and Disaster Prevention (CAGeD), Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built
Environment (FKAAB), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
3. BADRUL HISHAM ISMAIL - Port Klang Authority, Jalan Pelabuhan Klang, Port Klang, Malaysia.
The industrial and maritime operations in the Port region have raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding the release of heavy metal pollutants into the local aquatic ecosystem. This paper addresses these concerns by focusing on the impact of heavy metal contamination on macroinvertebrate populations and the health risk of the hinterland community in the Port Klang area, a hub for industrial and maritime activities. The study employs a multifaceted approach, that integrates the I =intake quantitative measure of the exposure in the RAGS/HHEM unit by USEPA for determining heavy metal concentration in correlation with the cross-examination of health impact, health analysis, and survey questionnaire from community feedback. Moreover, confirmation by statistical tools, PLS. 70 sets of surveys, and questionnaires, were employed to assess the ecological consequences of heavy metal pollution in Port Klang's maritime waters seafood where only 50 sets were retrieved. The findings of this comprehensive investigation reveal the extent of heavy metal contamination in the region, with a high heavy metal concentration of 6.6157 and a low heavy metal concentration of 0.10331. The USEPA, further revealed that 16% had gastrointestinal distress, 20% had Respiratory health issues, 26% encountered Weakness/ joint pain, 20% encountered Skin problems, and 18% encountered Neurological symptoms and classified as high concentration. The level of the heavy metal is inversely proportionate to the health impact. Neurological symptoms, Skin problems, Weakness/joint pain, Respiratory, gastrointestinal distress health-related issues are the persisting health problems of heavy metal, and can be concluded that potential ecological repercussions, highlighting the need for sustainable management strategies to protect the health of the maritime ecosystem and the well-being of the local community.
Macroinvertebrate, Hinterland Community, Heavy Metal, Maritime, and Seafood.