Sains Malaysiana 41(1)(2012): 23–32

Preliminary Assessment on the Hydrogeochemistry of Kapas Island, Terengganu

(Penilaian Awal Hidro-Kimia di Pulau Kapas, Terengganu)

Noorain Mohd. Isa & Ahmad Zaharin Aris*

Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Studies

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

Received: 22 February 2011 / Accepted: 10 June 2011

ABSTRACT

Classified as a small island, Kapas Island experiences major problems especially in supplying freshwater where groundwater abstraction is the only way to meet the demand of drinking water and domestic use. Groundwater samples were collected from seven constructed boreholes to examine the hydrochemistry properties of major ions and in-situ parameters as these could provide a basis for future reference. The chemical composition showed strong and significant correlation for each studied parameter; an indication of the effect of environmental variables to the groundwater composition. The composition changed from Ca-rich to Na-rich are explained mostly by mixing and cation exchange processes. This study provided an input for water management at Kapas Island where groundwater is a crucial resource to maintain the hydrogeological balance of the island.

Keyword: Aquifer; groundwater; hydrochemical; ionic ratios; Kapas Island; major ions

ABSTRAK

Dikelompokkan di dalam kumpulan pulau kecil, Pulau Kapas mengalami masalah terutama sekali dalam menyalurkan air tawar yang mana proses pengeluaran air bawah tanah sahaja yang ada bagi memenuhi permintaan air minuman serta penggunaan harian. Sampel-sampel air bawah tanah dikumpulkan dari tujuh telaga tiub yang dibina untuk dianalisis ciri-ciri hidro-kimianya yang terdiri daripada ion-ion utama dan parameter in-situ yang boleh disediakan sebagai garis panduan maklumat untuk rujukan masa hadapan. Kandungan kimia menunjukkan hubungan yang kuat dan signifikan antara setiap parameter yang dikaji menunjukkan kesan perubahan pemboleh ubah alam sekitar terhadap kandungan air bawah tanah. Perubahan kandungan air bawah tanah daripada yang kaya-Ca kepada kaya-Na dapat menjelaskan proses percampuran dan juga proses penukargantian kation. Kajian ini sangat penting sebagai landasan untuk pengurusan air di Pulau Kapas yang mana air bawah tanah adalah sumber penting dalam memelihara keseimbangan hidrogeologi sesebuah pulau.

Kata kunci: Air bawah tanah; akuifer; hidrokimia; ionutama; nisbah ion; Pulau Kapas

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*Corresponding author; email: zaharin@env.upm.edu.my