Interim National Water Quality Standards Research Articles

Assessment of radiological health implicat from ambient environment in the Muar district, Johor, Malaysia

This study aims to obtain baseline data of environmental terrestrial radiation and to assess the corresponding health risk in the ambient environment in Muar District, Johor, Malaysia in view of the possible construction of nuclear power plant (NPP) in the future. The external gamma dose rate (GDR), measured using two portable survey meters, was 151nGyh−1. The activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K were determined using hyper pure germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity concentrations were varied from 11±1 to 583±18Bqkg−1 for 232Th, 6±1 to 244±9Bqkg−1 for 226Ra, and 13±6 to 830±13Bqkg−1 for 40K. Various types of water samples were analyzed using a Low Background Alpha Beta Series 5 XLB instrument at Nuclear Malaysia (NM). Gross alpha activity concentrations in tap water varied from 3±1mBqL−1 to 34±6mBqL−1 and gross beta activity concentrations varied from 58±5mBqL−1 to 709±39mBqL−1 which were lower than the recommended value by Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS) and World Health Organization (WHO, 1993). The radiological health which are the annual effective dose equivalent, the collective effective dose, radium equivalent activity and external hazard index 0.220mSv, 0.526×102manSvy−1, 359Bqkg−1 and 0.969, respectively. The results were comparable to internationally recommended values and discussed accordingly.

Water Quality Assessment of UPM Lake and the Impact of Geographic Information System

A study of the water quality changes of engineering lake was conducted for 3 months in March, August and September. A total of 8 water quality parameters were measured and their average monthly observations were recorded with consideration of both point source and non-point source (NPS) pollutants. The parameters measured were Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Ammonia-Nitrogen (NH3-N),pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and water temperature.This was done according to the guidelines of department of environment (DOE) Malaysiaon water quality assessment with respect to Interim National Water Quality standards (INWQS). Based on INWQS and WQI Malaysia the lake was classified as polluted against class IIb. This shows the lake is not suitable for recreational activitiessuch as fishing, canoeing. The level of pollution based on spatial resolution of two water quality parameters, BOD and water temperature was made possible using geographical information system (GIS). ARCMAP 10.1 softwarewas used for this application to determine the concentration of the parameters at every position in the lake.

Impact of Fine Sediment on TSS and Turbidity in Retention Structure

A study of the impact of fine sediment on various water quality parameters in retention structure such as sediment basin was conducted on stagnant and flowing condition. 7 water quality parameters (pH, TSS, turbidity, DO, BOD, COD, ammonium nitrogen) were measured and classified according to the Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS) for Malaysia. Results show higher fine sediment concentration causes higher TSS and turbidity. Besides, results show TSS and turbidity were influenced by soil type for the same amount of fine sediment. Soil Siri Rasau 1 showed highest TSS and turbidity value followed by soil Siri Bungor and soil alluvium. A good positive correlation of TSS versus turbidity and has been investigated in this study. Multiple nonlinear regression analysis revealed that parameter TSS is dependent on time, total soil mass, fine soil mass and flow rate.

Morphology, Geology and Water Quality Assessment of Former Tin Mining Catchment

Bestari Jaya, former tin mining catchment covers an area of 2656.31 hectares comprised of four hundred and forty-two different-size lakes and ponds. The present study area comprise of 92 hectares of the catchment that include four large size lakes. Arc GIS version 9.2 used to develop bathymetric map, Global Positioning System (GPS) for hydrographical survey and flow meter was utilized for water discharge analysis (flow routing) of the catchment. The water quality parameters (pH, temperature, electric conductivity, dissolved oxygen DO, total dissolved solids TDS, chlorides, ammonium, nitrates) were analyzed by using Hydrolab. Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures were strictly followed throughout the field work and data analysis. Different procedures were employed to evaluate the analytical data and to check for possible transcription or dilution errors, changes during analysis, or unusual or unlikely values. The results obtained are compared with interim national water quality standards for Malaysia indicates that water quality of area is highly degraded. It is concluded that Bestri Jaya ex-mining catchment has a high pollution potential due to mining activities and River Ayer Hitam, recipient of catchment water, is a highly polluted river.

Effect of Logging Activities on Water Quality and Benthic macroinvertebrate Assemblages of Madek River Basin, Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

The study was conducted to determine the effect of logging activities on water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages for the Madek River basin. The study area was situated in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. Two sampling stations 500 meters apart are upstream and the other, downstream located at Madek River which flows through a logging area in Kluang Forest Reserve were identified. The sampling was conducted four (4) times from November 2008 to August 2009. Surber Net measuring 500 micron mesh size combined with a rectangular quadrat of 30 cm x 30 cm (0.09 m2) was used to sample the macroinvertebrates. The organisms were identified up to genus level except for Chironomidae which was only identified up to Sub-family level. For water quality, six in-situ parameters based on the standard procedure of U. S. Environmental Protection Agency were measured at each station. The parameters such as temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, turbidity and salinity were measured using a multi parameter probe Model YSI 6920 with 650 MDS Display/Logger as well as a single parameter probe. All the physico-chemical water quality parameters were well below Class I as provided for under Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS), except turbidity which fell under Class II of the INWQS. There were only two (2) sensitive taxa namely Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera found in this station. Ephemeroptera that was found in the logging area was from genus Potamanthus, Pseudiron, Ephemerella and Rhithrogena, while Trichoptera was from genus Hydropsyche and Macrostemum.

Status of Water Quality Based on the Physico-Chemical Assessment on River Water at Wildlife Sanctuary Sibuti Mangrove Forest, Miri Sarawak

Problem statement: Mangrove forest is a component of wetlands that has been recognized as one of the most productive ecosystem in the trop ic. Rapid development and other land uses in the mangrove areas over the years had negatively affect ed the ecological functions and its ecosystem. Study was carried out on river water quality at Sib uti Wildlife Sanctuary, Miri based on the physico- chemical properties. Approach: A total of 72 water samples were collected from 12 stations or sampling points from Sungai Sibuti (SS) and its tributary, a man-ma de canal called Sungai Parit Scheme (SPS) at Sibuti Wildlife Sanctuary Miri, Sar awak in the month of June, August and October 2010. In situ data measurement such as temperature, conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH and turbidity were taken and labeled. Analysis for para meter such as ammoniacal nitrogen (NH 3-N), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) were conducted in the laboratory. Both in situ and ex situ data were measured and analyzed according to the Standards Methods APHA, 2005. Results for each water quality parameters are summarized as follows, temperature range (29.3-32.8°C), pH range (6.02-8.07), DO range (2.76-4.7 mg L -1 ), conductivity (0.805-96.1 �S cm -1 ), TSS range (0.00119-0.4361 mg L -1 ), turbidity (10.2-15.3 NTU), BOD range (5.21-6.66 mg L -1 ), COD (7.5-25) and ammoniacal nitrogen (0.1-0.31 mg L -1 ). Results: Based on Water Quality Index (WQI) and Interim National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (INWQS) by the Department of Environment Malaysia, river water of SPS and SS fall under Class II. Conclusion: The water quality status of river water at Sibuti W ildlife Sanctuary Mangrove Forest, Miri Sarawak is under category class II or good water quality status. All water quality parameters in this study are found to be in class I and II (good water quality) except for the BOD and DO which indicate fairer and moderate river water q uality status.

Development of Water Quality Model for Sungai Tebrau using QUAL2K

Tebrau River starts in Senai and ends in the Straits of Johor and has been categorized as most polluted river in Malaysia. It has been classified as class III river water quality based on the Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS) with the average value of Water Quality Index (WQI) of 59. This study was focussed on simulating the effect of the pollution from industrial area to Tebrau River Basin by using QUAL2K which is the modenization version of QUAL2E. This water quality model involved in simulates two primary parameters which are Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Ammoniacal Nitrogen (AN). It has been found out that QUAL2K model can be used as an outstanding tool in managing the river basin.

Water-Quality Assessment of the Langat River at Kilometre 7, Jalan Kajang-Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

The Langat River is one of the main sources of water supply for the Selangor area. For water-quality analysis, water sampling was carried out at five stations during the wet (November 2009) and dry (February 2010) seasons. These five stations are located along the river, with the exception of station 3. Station 1 and station 2 are located upstream station 3, while station 4 and station 5 lie downstream of station 3. Station 3 differs from the other four stations because it is a discharge from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia campus. This study was conducted to determine water quality as well as levels of pollution, based on the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Malaysian Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS), of the Langat River at Km 7. A total of 14 water-quality parameters—temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), PO4, NO3-, NH3-N, SO4, oil and grease, and E. co...

Stormwater quality and pollution loading from an urban residential catchment in Johor, Malaysia

Sampling of urban runoff was carried out in a small catchment, which represents a residential area (3.34 ha) in Skudai, Johor. One hundred and seventeen runoff samples from ten storm events were analysed. Runoff quality showed large variations in concentrations during storms, especially for SS, BOD5 and COD. Concentrations of NO3-N, NO2-N, NH3-N, and P were also high. Lead (Pb) was also detected but the levels were low (<0.001 mg/L). In general, the river quality is badly polluted and falls in Class V based on the Malaysian Interim National Water Quality Standards. Event mean concentrations for all parameters were found to vary greatly between storms. The values (mg/L) were BOD5 (72), COD (325), SS (386), NO3-N (2.5), NO2-N (0.58), NH3-N (6.8), P (3.4), respectively. First flush phenomena were observed for BOD, COD, SS, NO3-N, NH3-N and P. The first 20-30% of the runoff volume evacuated between 20-59% BOD, 15-69% COD, 15-78% SS, 14-49% NO3-N, 14-19% NO2-N, 23-53% NH3-N and 23-43% P.

Runoff quality and pollution loadings from a tropical urban catchment

Runoff quality draining from 17.14 km2 urban catchment in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, was analysed. The land-use consists of residential (30.3%), agricultural (27.3%), open space (27.9%), industrial (8.1%) and commercial (6.4%) areas. Three storm events were sampled in detail. These storms produced stormflow between 0.84 mm and 27.82 mm, and peakflow from 2.19 m3/s to 42.36 m3/s. Water quality showed marked variation during storms especially for TSS, BOD and COD with maximum concentrations of 778 mg/l, 135 mg/l and 358 mg/l, respectively. Concentrations of TOC, DOC, NH3-N, Fe and level of colour were also high. In general, the river quality is badly polluted and falls in Class V based on the Malaysian Interim National Water Quality Standards. Event Mean Concentrations (EMC) for various parameters varied considerably between storms. The largest storm produced higher EMC for TSS, NO3-N and SS whereas the smaller storms tend to register higher EMC for BOD, COD, NH3-N, TOC, Ca, K, Mg, Fe and Zn. Such variations could be explained in terms of pollutant availability and the effects of flushing and dilution. Based on a three-month average recurrence interval (ARI) of rainfall, the estimated event loadings (ton/ha) of TSS, BOD, COD, TOC, NH3-N and NO3-N were 0.055, 0.016, 0.012, 0.039, 0.010, 0.0007 and 0.0002, respectively. Heavy metals present in trace quantities. Storms with 3 months ARI could capture about 70% of the total annual loads of major pollutants.