Sains Malaysiana 45(4)(2016): 551–558

Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Selected Surface Water Quality Parameters in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia

(Kevariabelan Musim dan Reruang pada Parameter Kualiti Permukaan Air Terpilih

di Tanah Bencah Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia)

S. SURATMAN¹*, A.N.A.R. HUSSEIN¹, N. MOHD TAHIR^1,2, M.T. LATIF³,  R. MOSTAPA⁴

& K. WESTON⁵

¹Institute of Oceanography and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

²School of Marine Science and Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

³School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

⁴Environmental Tracer Application Group (ETAG), Malaysian Nuclear Agency Bangi

43000 Kajang Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

⁵Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT

United Kingdom

Received: 20 November 2014/Accepted: 6 October 2015

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results for surface water quality parameters measured in the Setiu Wetland, on the east coast of Malaysia, which feeds into the southern part of the South China Sea. There are no previous studies dealing with the seasonal and spatial variation of water quality in this area, despite numerous anthropogenic inputs into this ecologically and economically important wetland. The parameters measured were salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). These parameters were sampled monthly from October 2009 to September 2010, during both the wet and dry seasons, at ten sampling stations distributed throughout the area. The physical water quality parameters were measured in situ whilst TSS and BOD were determined using the standard methods. A deterioration of water quality in the Setiu Wetland was observed in areas near agriculture and aquaculture activities. This was expected to be as a result of the use of fertilisers, waste from fish farm food and the waste products of aquaculture. The parameters measured showed lower mean values of surface salinity, temperature, DO, pH and TSS during the wet season relative to the dry season. In contrast, the concentration of BOD was high during the wet season and lowest in the dry season. Results obtained from this study clearly showed the surface physical water quality for the Setiu Wetland was highly influenced by anthropogenic activities and seasonal variation. Therefore, both factors must be considered to move towards proper management of this wetland.

Keywords: Anthropogenic activities; seasonal and spatial variability; Setiu Wetland; surface water; wet and dry seasons

ABSTRAK

Kertas ini melaporkan keputusan kajian mengenai parameter kualiti air permukaan yang diukur di Tanah Bencah Setiu, di Pantai Timur Semenanjung Malaysia yang mengalir ke bahagian selatan Laut China Selatan. Tiada kajian dijalankan sebelum ini berkaitan parameter bermusim dan reruang pada kualiti air di kawasan ini yang diketahui mempunyai kepentingan ekonomi dan ekologi, walaupun ia menerima kesan daripada input antropogen. Parameter yang diukur ialah saliniti, suhu, keterlarutan oksigen (DO), pH, permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) dan jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS). Pensampelan untuk parameter tersebut dilakukan setiap bulan semasa musim kering dan basah di sepuluh stesen pensampelan merangkumi seluruh kawasan ini. Parameter fizikal diukur secara in situ manakala TSS dan BOD ditentukan menggunakan kaedah piawai. Kemerosotan kualiti air di Tanah Bencah Setiu diperhatikan di kawasan berdekatan aktiviti pertanian dan akuakultur. Kesan ini adalah hasil daripada penggunaan baja, baki daripada makanan ikan dan hasil buangan akuakultur. Parameter yang diukur menunjukkan purata nilai yang rendah untuk saliniti, suhu, DO, pH dan TSS semasa musim basah berbanding dengan musim kering. Sebaliknya, kepekatan BOD adalah tinggi semasa musim basah dan rendah pada musim kering. Keputusan kajian ini menunjukkan kualiti air fizikal permukaan untuk Tanah Bencah Setiu banyak dipengaruhi oleh aktiviti antropogen dan perubahan musim. Oleh itu, kedua-dua faktor perlu dipertimbangkan ke arah pengurusan berkesan untuk tanah bencah ini.

Kata kunci: Aktiviti antropogen; kevariabelan bermusim dan reruang; musim kering dan basah; permukaan air; Tanah Bencah Setiu

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*Corresponding author; email: miman@umt.edu.my