Publication Details

Assessment of Saltwater Intrusion Potential in the Coastal Aquifer of the Lower Kelantan Basin

This paper focuses on investigating the impact of seawater intrusion in the Lower Kelantan Basin by conducting chemical analyses of both groundwater and surface water samples. A total of 60 sampling sites were selected to evaluate the quality of subsurface water and the extent of seawater intrusion in the study area. Geographic Information System (GIS) was employed to map the contaminated groundwater zones and to determine the depth of the interface between fresh and saline water. The study performed a comprehensive geochemical analysis on the 60 groundwater samples to assess their quality. Various parameters were measured, including pH (acidity/alkalinity), electrical conductivity (EC), salinity and the concentrations of calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl-), sodium (Na2+), potassium (K+), and sulphate (SO42-). These measurements were crucial to understand the nature of salinity in the aquifer system. The results of the geochemical analyses revealed that the overall groundwater conditions in the study area were found to be satisfactory, except for the northern part. The northern region showed moderate to high salinity hazard risk, which could be attributed to its close proximity to the sea and the potential hydraulic connection between groundwater and seawater. In conclusion, this research sheds light on the potential impact of seawater intrusion in the Lower Kelantan Basin by providing crucial insights into the subsurface water quality and the distribution of salinity. Understanding such factors is essential for sustainable groundwater management and protecting the water resources in the region.