Reassessment of Nutrient Status in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Surface water quality is controlled by natural and anthropogenic factors. However, the latter factor contributes substantially to the deterioration of water quality resulting from the discharge from urban, domestic, industrial and agricultural activities. Nutrient inputs can seriously degrade the water quality of the surrounding areas. The presence of excess quantities of nutrients, mainly nitrogen and phosphorus in aquatic areas may stimulate intensive growth of phytoplankton, cause eutrophication problems and hypoxia events. Setiu Wetland is located north of Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. The area covers many ecosystems including estuaries, mangroves, wetlands and lagoon. Upstream activities which can contaminate freshwater inputs (i.e. R. Setiu and R. Ular) at present are limited to agricultural activities including palm oil plantation. Meanwhile, surrounding villages within the wetland produce the well-known Terengganu sauce, fish and seafood based delicacies like fish crackers, dried anchovies and shrimp paste. Aquaculture such as brackish water cage culture, pond culture, pen culture and oyster farming is one of the fastest growing economic activities in Setiu Wetland. This article reports the findings of a study to measure nutrient compounds in this area. The objective was to establish the concentration of measured parameters within the wetland. Nutrient concentrations were compared to available Malaysia guidelines i.e. Malaysian Marine Water Quality Criteria and Reassessment of Nutrient Status in Setiu Wetland, Terengganu, Malaysia