Study of Water Quality Based on Diversity of Macroinvertebrates Using Average Score Per Taxon Method in Corporate Social Responsibility Program Approach at Gunung Belumut and Gunung Lambak Waterfall

Abstract

Bio-monitoring techniques used in evaluating water quality helps in monitoring the ecosystem balanced of the water. This study aims to focus on the water quality properties such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and the bio-indicator method by evaluating macroinvertebrates diversity using the Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) method. Besides, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program was conducted with an approach with primary school students of Sekolah Kebangsaan LKTP Ulu Dengar, and Sekolah Kebangsaan Abdul Rahman Yassin, Kluang as a pilot program as it is effective in student learning platform and knowledge transfer program. The water quality according to ASPT analysis for upstream of Hutan Lipur Gunung Belumut waterfall is scored 7.94 (very clean water) while for downstream of Hutan Rekreasi Gunung Lambak waterfall scored 5.53 (rather clean to clean water). It is a relevant outcome of water quality level based on the diversity of macroinvertebrates in the river using the ASPT method and the correlation with the in-situ analysis has been supporting the preferred properties of water condition for the macroinvertebrates cycle. In conclusion, the result of water quality in the upstream is relatively good compared to the downstream. The methods and approaches applied were dependable in estimating the current water quality level of the river.