Selected Water Quality Parameters in Kuching

Wetlands National Park

Pavithira Dewi A/P Sundram (76557)

A project proposal submitted in partial fulfilment

of the Final Year Project 1 (STF 3013) course

Supervisor: Dr. Aazani binti Mujahid

Aquatic Resource Science and Management

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

i
 Table of contents

List of Abbreviations iv

List of Figure v

List of Table vi

Summary 1

1.0 Introduction 2
1.1 Background of study 2
1.2 Problem statement 3
1.3 Objectives 3

2.0 Literature Review 4

2.1 Water quality parameter

2.2 Physical parameter of water quality 4

2.3 Chemical parameter of water quality 5

3.0 Materials and Method 8

3.1 Study area and sampling station 8

3.1.1Sampling stations 9

3.2 Water quality index (WQI)

3.2.1 Statistical analysis 10

3.3 Laboratory Analysis

3.3.1 Biological oxygen demand (BOD) 10

4.0 Expected Outcomes 11

ii
5.0 Work Schedule 12

References 13

iii
List of Abbreviations

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

iv
List of Table:

 Table 1: SI and WQI ranges and classifications

List of Figure

 Figure 1: Study area and sampling stations

v
Summary

Kuching Wetland National Park is one of Malaysia's RAMSAR wetlands and a region of

international importance (KWNP). A Ramsar site is a wetland site assigned to be of global

significance underneath the Ramsar Convention, as well recognised as "The Convention on

Wetlands". To maintain the wetland sustainable way, it is critical to understand the quality of

the water of a floodplain structure that diverts the KWNP. The selected in-situ parameters will

be utilized to evaluate the water quality at KWNP. The anticipated outcome of this study is that

quality of water in Kuching Wetland National Park (KWNP) will be ascertained utilising

selected in-situ parameter.

Keywords: Kuching Wetland National Park, phosphorus, In-situ parameter,water quality

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 1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of Study

One of the most severe ecological worries is the worsening of quality of water. Frequent

monitoring is an important tool for evaluating water quality while also making managerial

decisions to improve or defend the design goals. (Chen-Lin et al., 2015).

The capacity of liquid to endorse numerous purposes or processes is referred to as water

quality. Each application will have unique needs for water is probably physical, chemical, or

biological properties. Toxic intensity limits, for instance, for substances used in water supply, or

pH and temperature range constraints for water that supports invertebrate societies A wide

range of natural and human factors influence quality of the water. Geological, hydrogeology,

and climatological factors that influence are the most important natural impacts because they

impact the quality and quantity of freshwater resources ( Soo et al,2014).

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 1.2 Problem Statement

Tracking water quality is essential in determining how well we are progressing in mopping up

our rivers. It displays the wellbeing and structure of streams, waterways, and ponds in live time

in addition to over months at least, months, and years. The geological trend of both the water

quality index (WQI) and its post is crucial for trying to locate major sources of pollutants that

make a contribution to the deterioration of the water's quality.

1.3 Objectives

The main objectives of this study are:

i. To determine the selected water quality parameters at Kuching Wetlands National Park and
calculate the water quality index

ii. To observe any possible new pollution source to Kuching Wetlands National Park
including point source and non-point source

iii. To determine the status of quality of water in the Kuching Wetlands Area.

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 2.0 Literature review

2.1 Water Quality Parameter

Water quality indices are a comfortable method for analyzing large amounts of

information on quality of water using a diverse range of analytes (Bharti, 2011). Many other

indexes have been created since Horton (1965) suggested the first WQI. National Solid waste

management Foundation (NSF) Water Quality Index (Brown et al., 1970); Oregon Water

quality index (Dunnette, 1979); Bhargava technique (Bhargava, 1983); British Columbia

Water quality index (Rocchini & Swain, 1995); Canadian Council of Ministers of

Environment (CCME) WQI (CCME, 2001); and Overall Index of Pollution (Sargaonkar &

Deshpande, 2003). Every WQI contains a single value criterion that conveys overall water

quality at a specific place based on many water quality parameters and converts complicated

groundwater data into useful data that the deeply worried major shareholder can recognise

and then use.

2.2 Physical Parameter of Water Quality

2.2.1 Salinity

Salt concentration refers to the level of soluble substances present in water. The most

plentiful particles in saltwater are sodium and chloride, and yet magnesium, calcium, as well as

sulphate ions are also found in significant concentration levels (“Salinity, no date”).

2.2.2 Temperature

Many other water quality characteristics are influenced by temperature, including

photosynthetic activity and digestion rates, solubilized oxygen levels, ductility and alkalinity,

ionic strength, and hydraulic gradient. At high pH, nitrogen, for illustration, is toxic. It is toxic

to both plants and marine life, but accelerated surface temperatures can amplify the effect.

(Bhateria&Jain,2016)
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 2.3 Chemical Parameter of Water Quality

2.3.1 pH

pH is among the most essential parameters of water quality. It is characterized by the

negative logarithm of hydrogen concentration. It is a nondimensional number that tells you

whether such a remedy is acidic or basic. Pure de-ionized water has a pH level of 7. It

consists of an equal amount of OH- ions and H+ ions. Given that it is nor the acidic nor basic,

it really is classified as neutral. A water sample is acidic if it includes more Hydrogen ion

than OH- ions with a pH just under 7. If a study population has a pH greater than 7, it is

considered basic because it includes so much OH- charged particles than H- ions. Substances

and toxicants spread quickly in low pH climates (Hassan Omer, 2020).

2.3.2 Biological Oxygen Demand

The concentration of dissolved oxygen needed by respiration living entities to break down plant

substances inside a particular sample of water at the particular duration and temperature time

frame has been recognized as BOD (Li & Liu, 2019).

2.3.3 Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

Diffusion of oxygen is considered one of the most significant criteria of water quality in creeks,

waterways, and wetlands (DO). It serves as a key measure of water polluted air. The greater the

amount of dissolved oxygen, the good the quality of water. O2 is water-soluble but

exceptionally temperature sensitive. At 20°C, for example, the absorption density is about 9

mg/L, whereas at 0°C, it is 14.6 mg/L. Stress, heat, and alkalinity all affect the true oxygen in

the water content of water. But even though oxygen concentration has no immediate impact on

public wellbeing, some people find liquid that contains little or no o2 uncomfortable to drink

( N. Bassi and M. D. Kumar / Water Policy 19 ,2017).

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 2.3.4 Total Suspended Solid (TSS)

Total suspended solids (TSS) are water - borne atoms greater than two microns in diameter. A

totally solubilized solid, on the contrary hand, is defined as any electron smaller than 2 µm

(TDS). Total locked up solids (TSS) may also contain phytoplankton and microbes, but

perovskites represent the vast majority of TSS. TSS includes sand, silt, and microorganisms, in

addition to other artefacts that hover or are "delayed" in water. When specific water sources are

polluted by resurrected plants and animals, particulates have been generally released into the

environment. While some TSS will sink to the bottom of a pool of water, others will float above

the water's surface or remain dormant in the middle (Soo et al., 1970).

Causes of TSS in water

I. Storm water & Depletion

 TSS levels in the environment can increase as a consequence of higher

bank abrasion in streams and rivers. Water may appear muddled due to

dust matter that resolve out all across it when it is produced from mud

and soil. The impacts of stormwater, which occurs when water flows

placed above a white collapsing soil, may be significant compared.

II. Human Pollution

• Human activity causes TSS densities in water sources throughout the

Kuching Wetlands National Park. Disintegrated pollutants, such as

pathogenic organisms and toxic metals, can affect water quality by

attaching to shelved droplets. Human pollution pollutants

includesneonicotinoids, lead. micro and mercury.

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 III. Phytoplankton

• A Phytoplankton can be discovered in the both freshwater and salt water.

Whenever these algae die, hydrocarbon is emitted into the water, lowering

o2 levels and increasing TSS levels.

IV. Depositional Interruption IV

• Both sand and gravel, two thicker wreckage types, tend to sink to the

bottom of streams and rivers as well as streams. If silt in a flowing water

body is disturbed by natural or human actions, this silt could become

dissolved in the water, elevating TSS levels down river.

Effects of high TSS in water

In terms of water quality, high TSS levels can reduce biologically dissolved oxygen

concentration and raise temperature of water. This could make it difficult for marine animals,

such as sea creatures, to survive. TSS may indeed reduce surface, which might also slow or stop

photosynthetic activity, reducing the mortality rate survival and further lowering water oxygen

levels.

Total solids in drinkable water may also have an impact on human health, depending on

the situation. Microbes and algae, for example, can cause digestive issues, whereas toxins like

metals can lead to serious health issues or even fatality. A few prevalent TSS, such as sand or

silt, are not dangerous to one's health but can cause cosmetic problems in pipelines, pipework,

fixtures, and liquid devices from around residence. (Yang Jin, 2012).
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 3.0 Materials & Method

3.1 Study Area & Sampling Stations

Kuching Wetland National Park (KWNP) is located in western Sarawak at N01° 40' 59" - N01°

41' 18" / E110° 12' 16" - E110° 16' 20". This same territory does have a smoggy tropical

climate with yearly precipitation ranging from 3,600 to 4,000 mm. The monsoon season has no

direct impact on the region. The rainiest are December and January, and the average rainfall

months are June and July. The temperatures vary among 19 and 36 degrees Celsius, and there

are approximately 5 hours of sunlight per day (Malaysian Meteorological Department, 2017).

The areas of the nine sampling sites were depicted in Figure 1. The channels were located at the

Sibu Laut River's downstream end, close to the village of Sibu Laut, and at the Loba Kilong

River.

Figure 1: Study area and sampling stations

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 3.1.1 Sampling Stations

The sampling stations' actual coordinates can be determined using a portable global

positioning system (GPS), which will be employed to affirm the commuter rails' places during

prospective sampling sessions. While salt, pH, heat, oxygen concentration (DO), and surface

water would be evaluated with a rheometer, a pH metre with liquid thermometer, a DO m, and a

sediment metre, coastal wetland complexity and river would be evaluated with a depth device.

3.2 Water Quality Index

Water quality indices, which use different analyte groupings, provide a simple way to

analyse a large amount of water quality data (Horton, 1965) proposed the first WQI. Each

Water quality index offers a single value index that indicates quality of the water at such a

specific location based on a variety of water quality criteria and converts complex water quality

data into knowledge that stakeholders involved can comprehend and use (Bassi & Kumar,

2017). The NSF WQI and numerous index predicated on it (such as the overall index of

pollution) achieve the best results for indexing general water quality.

Table 3 displays the SI and WQI ranges and classifications (NWQS, 2018).

3.2.2 Statistical Analysis

SPSS and Microsoft Excel will be used for data statistical analysis. The data will be
9
 compared to the Marine Water Quality Standard (MWQS) to determine the water quality

classes at Kuching Wetlands National Park.

3.3 Laboratory Analysis

3.3.1 Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

The BOD is typically calculated utilising standardisation lab tests in which the specimen

is cultured in the shadows for 5 days at a continual temperature of 20 degrees C, enabling the

quantity of O2 devoured in this procedure to be evaluated. This is how the term BOD5 is

defined (biochemical oxygen demand on five days). BOD5 levels in natural waters are

generally less than 2 mg/L, so although human waste might have a BOD5 level of 600 mg/L.

1992 (Molvaer et al., 1997; Smith et al., 1999). Even though they accurately represent the

actual impact on receiving water bodies, BOD5 principles are commonly utilized as a

dependable surrogacy arrangement for the extent of organic load in a water body (Ashley et al.,

2011; Smit et al., 2009).

3.3.2 Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Total suspended solids (TSS) are indeed the components that are maintained on a basic

fibreglass filter paper whenever a water sample is sifted. The fraction on the filter paper is left

to dry at 105 °C. TSS tests were conducted in conformance with APHA 2540D: Dehydrated

Suspended Solids 103-105 °C (Xu et al., 2008).

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4.0 Expected Outcomes

At the end of this study, it is expected that water quality at Kuching Wetlands National

Park will be reviewed clearly, effects to living organisms because of the water quality can be

examined. Furthermore, actions can be executed for the area which has a bad water quality.

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5.0 Work Schedule

Project activities 2022 2023

Proposal writing and

Progress report

Sampling

Data analysis

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References

Bhateria, R. and Jain, D. (2016) “Water quality assessment of lake water: A Review,”
Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2(2), pp. 161–173. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-015-0014-7.
Bassi, N. and Kumar, M.D. (2017) “Water quality index as a tool for wetland restoration,”
Water Policy, 19(3), pp. 390–403. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2017.099.

Chowdhury, R.M., Muntasir, S.Y. and Hossain, M.M. (2012) “Water quality index of
water bodies along Faridpur-Barisal road in Bangladesh”. Global Engineers &
Technologists Review, 2(3), 1-8. 2012.

Hassan Omer, N. (2020) “Water quality parameters,” Water Quality - Science, Assessments
and Policy [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.89657.

Huang, Y.F. et al. (2015) “Quality of water resources in Malaysia,” Research and
Practices in Water Quality [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5772/58969.

Li, D. and Liu, S. (2019) “Water quality monitoring in Aquaculture,” Water Quality
Monitoring and Management, pp. 303–328. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-
0-12-811330-1.00012-0.

Quoc Bao Pham, Reza Mohammadpour “Application of soft computing to predict water
quality in wetland”. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-
020-10344-8

Salinity (no date) Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Available at:
https://www.britannica.com/science/biosphere/Salinity#ref589476 (Accessed:
November 11, 2022).

Soo, C.-L., Ling, T.-Y. and Lee, N. (1970) “Assessment of the water quality of the
western boundary of kuching wetland National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia,” Borneo
Journal of Resource Science and Technology, 5(1), pp. 1–10. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.33736/bjrst.282.2015.

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