Publication Details

IMPACT OF SEA LEVEL RISE TO THE COASTAL AQUIFER IN KUALA TERENGGANU, TERENGGANU

Global warming due to climatic change has been identified as a main factor leading to sea level rise. Sea level rise will have profound effects on the freshwater supplies, ecosystems and infrastructure of coastal areas by increasing flooding frequency and inundating low lying coastal area, and threatens the communities residing along them. Rising sea level also could increase the rate of erosion along the coast and some beaches could disappear. One of the potentials is the salinization of aquifer due to the inland movement of rising sea level and hence influencing the groundwater quality. Continued population growth in low-lying coastal regions will increase vulnerability as the effects of climate change become more pronounce. This study is carried out in an area at the mouth of Terengganu River in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu with the radius of approximately 6 km. The study is carried out with the aim to assess the potential impact of sea level rise to the coastal aquifer. The study is carried out by locating the position of fresh water-saltwater interface and analysing current status of groundwater quality. In-situ groundwater quality measurement and geophysical analysis were employed in this study. The fresh water and saltwater interface has been located in this study. The finding of the study could be used to characterise the occurrence and movement of saline groundwater and to better understand linkages between groundwater and seawater, and potential impact of sea level rise to the aquifer, therefore able to enhance the sustainability of coastal groundwater resources.