EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN LANGAT RIVER BASIN, MALAYSIA
The rapid growth of population, industrial activities, urbanisation, and extensive agriculture has caused a major increase in water consumption. Due to these growing demands especially from the industrial sector and the effect of river water scarcity, a conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water has become an alternative. Overtime, this has led to an increase in groundwater dependency which may contribute to the deterioration of water quality itself. Therefore, it is vital to assess the quality of groundwater in order to ensure that the public health is not at risk. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the groundwater quality in Langat River basin. Groundwater samples were collected from 14 wells and analysed for various parameters such as pH, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, SO42-,NO3-, PO43-, F, Fe2+, Mn2 +, Sn, As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Sb, Se, Cr, Hg and V. The results showed pH and EC values rangingfrom 4.40-7.70 and 36-6,888 µS/cm, respectively. The pH values were lower than the permissible limit of 6.5-8.5 by WHO guideline for drinking-water quality which slightly acidic to alkaline. The sequences of major cations and anions were Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ and HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > CO32-. The main facies of groundwater are Na-HCO3, and Na-Cl water types while the remaining are Ca-HCO3, Mg-HCO3 and Na-SO4, respectively. The high values of EC and Cl- content in a few locations are believed to be affected by the remnant of ancient seawater intrusion. It can be concluded that the groundwater quality in Langat River Basin are mainly controlled by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. The findings will help the local authorities and stakeholders to comprehend the groundwater system behaviour, and help manage groundwater resource sustainably. Frequent monitoring should be carried out to ensure good quality for water supply and safe for public health.
Authors
Abstract
The rapid growth of population, industrial activities, urbanisation, and extensive agriculture has caused a major increase in water consumption. Due to these growing demands especially from the industrial sector and the effect of river water scarcity, a conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water has become an alternative. Overtime, this has led to an increase in groundwater dependency which may contribute to the deterioration of water quality itself. Therefore, it is vital to assess the quality of groundwater in order to ensure that the public health is not at risk. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the groundwater quality in Langat River basin. Groundwater samples were collected from 14 wells and analysed for various parameters such as pH, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, SO42-,NO3-, PO43-, F, Fe2+, Mn2 +, Sn, As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Sb, Se, Cr, Hg and V. The results showed pH and EC values rangingfrom 4.40-7.70 and 36-6,888 µS/cm, respectively. The pH values were lower than the permissible limit of 6.5-8.5 by WHO guideline for drinking-water quality which slightly acidic to alkaline. The sequences of major cations and anions were Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ and HCO3- > Cl- > SO42- > CO32-. The main facies of groundwater are Na-HCO3, and Na-Cl water types while the remaining are Ca-HCO3, Mg-HCO3 and Na-SO4, respectively. The high values of EC and Cl- content in a few locations are believed to be affected by the remnant of ancient seawater intrusion. It can be concluded that the groundwater quality in Langat River Basin are mainly controlled by both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. The findings will help the local authorities and stakeholders to comprehend the groundwater system behaviour, and help manage groundwater resource sustainably. Frequent monitoring should be carried out to ensure good quality for water supply and safe for public health.
Citation
P.GEOL, DR. MOHD KHAIRUL NIZAR SHAMSUDDIN, ANUAR SEFIE. 2020. EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN LANGAT RIVER BASIN, MALAYSIA. Digital NAHRIM Publication Repository.