Trend of Six Physiochemical Water Quality Parameters between 2012 and 2015 of the Marang River, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

An environmental study was carried out at Marang River, Terengganu on determination of river water quality trend variations temporally and spatially at seven sampling stations between 2012 and 2015. Sampling stations were selected along the river started from downstream to upstream; where each station was 2km apart from each other. Sampling was done twice at each sampling stations which were during low and high tides in November 2012 and also was repeated in November 2015. Both samplings were conducted during Northeast monsoon period. Selected water quality parameters such as salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and turbidity were measured using certified scientific instruments. One way ANOVA and Tukey Kramer multiple comparison were used for statistical analysis. This study revealed that there is significant temporal variation in DO and turbidity which was increased from downstream to upstream between 2012 and 2015 due to the increase of land use activities; while other parameters such as EC, salinity, TDS and pH were decreased. These results were concluded that global change coupled with the enactment of heavy storm and flood phenomenon during 2014 was lead to the rising of sea level and salinity dilution of the South China Sea.