Assessment of Sewage Molecular Markers: Linear Alkylbenzenes in Sediments of an Industrialized Region in Peninsular Malaysia

In this study, the use of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) was employed to pinpoint sources human activity that cause detrimental impacts on coastal environment and river ecosystems. LABs were detected using GC–MS in sediment samples assembled from Kim River (KKR) Port Dickson coast (PDC). To assess significance variations distribution concentrations across sampling sites, study utilized several statistical techniques such as post hoc tests, LSD techniques, analysis variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficient a level p < 0.05. The degradation levels wastewater treatment assessed internal congeners (I/E), homologs C13 C12, long-to-short-chain (L/S) ratios. results revealed LAB varied between 88.3 112 ng/g dw KKR 119 256 PDC. Most surveyed areas exhibited substantial count C13–LABs displayed significant difference (p 0.05). I/E ratios ranged 1.7 2.0 4.1 PDC, suggesting effluents originated associated with physical phase biological systems (WWTSs). 34% 38% 40% 64% This underscores importance ongoing improvements WWTSs emphasizes potential indicators for monitoring contamination.