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IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK I Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan Master of Environmental Science (Land Use and Water Resource Management) 2014

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Page 1: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH SARAWAK

I

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Master of Environmental Science (Land Use and Water Resource Management)

2014

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Praise to Allah SWT the Almighty for all the blessing and guidance upon me throughout this

study

The motivation and hard work in pursuing a masters degree must come from within but my

acknowledgement are owned to a number of people First and foremost I would like to record

my gratitude and appreciation to my study supervisor Dr Siti Akmar Khadijah binti Ab

Rahim for support and advice in getting the research completed I would also like to thank

SLUSE programme coordinator Dr Tay Meng Guan and Dr Mohd Effendi Wasli for the

advice and guidance throughout this programme

In particular I would like to record special appreciation to all the laboratory assistants and of

course to my partner Hasanaliza binti Bujang Abdillah for their assistance support and

guidance that lead to the completion of this dissertation

I also would like to express my sincere appreciation to the NREB Inland Fisheries Section of

the Agricultural Dwartment and Forest Department for their support during the completion of

this research

Last but not least I would like to thank my family all SLUSE 11 Cohort lectures resource

person and course mates for their encouragement ideas knowledge and experience

throughout this programme

111

Pusat Khidmat MaklulRlt Akademik UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAK

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement 11

Table ofContents III

List ofFigures Vll

List ofTables viii

List of Appendices lX

List of Abbreviations x

Abstract Xl

Abstrak Xll

Introduction

Research Background 1

Significance of Study 3

Objectives 3

Literature Review

Sg Kenyanas background 4 I

Land use status at Sg Kenyana 4

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre) 6

Peat swamp forest 7

Water quality 8

Water quality monitoring and protection measures 9

III

I

I

I

I

I

Impact of water quality parameters to water ecosystem

pH 13

Temperature 14

Turbidity 15

Dissolves Oxygen (DO) 16

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 18

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 19

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 19

Nutrients (Ammoniacal Nitrogen Nitrate amp Phosphorus) 20

Total Coliform Counts (TCC) amp Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 22

Land use effects on aquatic ecosystem 22

Methodology

Study site 24

Collection of water samples 27

Selected In-situ WQ measurement 27

Selected Ex-situ WQ measurement 27

COD 27

BOD 28

TSS 28

Nutrients analysis

Ammoniacal Nitrogen 28

Nitrate 28

IV

Orthophosphate 28

TCCampFCC 29

Data analysis 29

Results and Discussion

The water quality of the sampling stations 30

Ex-situ water parameters

Comparison with the report of water quality ofSg Kenyana and Sg

In-situ water parameters 30

pH 31

Temperature 32

Turbidity 34

Dissolved Oxygen 35

Chemical Oxygen Demand amp Biological Oxygen Demand5 37

Total Suspended Solids 39

Nutrients (Ammoniacal nitrogen nitrate and orthophosphate) 40

Faecal Coliform Counts amp Total Coliform Counts 43

Liwak by NREB 44 t

pH 45

Dissolved Oxygen 45

Biological Oxygen Demand 45

Chemical Oxygen Demand 46

Total Suspended Solids 46

v

47Ammoniacal Nitrogen

47Water quality index (wQI) ofthe sampling stations

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 52

References 53

Appendices 57

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 2: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Praise to Allah SWT the Almighty for all the blessing and guidance upon me throughout this

study

The motivation and hard work in pursuing a masters degree must come from within but my

acknowledgement are owned to a number of people First and foremost I would like to record

my gratitude and appreciation to my study supervisor Dr Siti Akmar Khadijah binti Ab

Rahim for support and advice in getting the research completed I would also like to thank

SLUSE programme coordinator Dr Tay Meng Guan and Dr Mohd Effendi Wasli for the

advice and guidance throughout this programme

In particular I would like to record special appreciation to all the laboratory assistants and of

course to my partner Hasanaliza binti Bujang Abdillah for their assistance support and

guidance that lead to the completion of this dissertation

I also would like to express my sincere appreciation to the NREB Inland Fisheries Section of

the Agricultural Dwartment and Forest Department for their support during the completion of

this research

Last but not least I would like to thank my family all SLUSE 11 Cohort lectures resource

person and course mates for their encouragement ideas knowledge and experience

throughout this programme

111

Pusat Khidmat MaklulRlt Akademik UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAK

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement 11

Table ofContents III

List ofFigures Vll

List ofTables viii

List of Appendices lX

List of Abbreviations x

Abstract Xl

Abstrak Xll

Introduction

Research Background 1

Significance of Study 3

Objectives 3

Literature Review

Sg Kenyanas background 4 I

Land use status at Sg Kenyana 4

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre) 6

Peat swamp forest 7

Water quality 8

Water quality monitoring and protection measures 9

III

I

I

I

I

I

Impact of water quality parameters to water ecosystem

pH 13

Temperature 14

Turbidity 15

Dissolves Oxygen (DO) 16

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 18

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 19

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 19

Nutrients (Ammoniacal Nitrogen Nitrate amp Phosphorus) 20

Total Coliform Counts (TCC) amp Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 22

Land use effects on aquatic ecosystem 22

Methodology

Study site 24

Collection of water samples 27

Selected In-situ WQ measurement 27

Selected Ex-situ WQ measurement 27

COD 27

BOD 28

TSS 28

Nutrients analysis

Ammoniacal Nitrogen 28

Nitrate 28

IV

Orthophosphate 28

TCCampFCC 29

Data analysis 29

Results and Discussion

The water quality of the sampling stations 30

Ex-situ water parameters

Comparison with the report of water quality ofSg Kenyana and Sg

In-situ water parameters 30

pH 31

Temperature 32

Turbidity 34

Dissolved Oxygen 35

Chemical Oxygen Demand amp Biological Oxygen Demand5 37

Total Suspended Solids 39

Nutrients (Ammoniacal nitrogen nitrate and orthophosphate) 40

Faecal Coliform Counts amp Total Coliform Counts 43

Liwak by NREB 44 t

pH 45

Dissolved Oxygen 45

Biological Oxygen Demand 45

Chemical Oxygen Demand 46

Total Suspended Solids 46

v

47Ammoniacal Nitrogen

47Water quality index (wQI) ofthe sampling stations

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 52

References 53

Appendices 57

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 3: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

Pusat Khidmat MaklulRlt Akademik UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAK

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement 11

Table ofContents III

List ofFigures Vll

List ofTables viii

List of Appendices lX

List of Abbreviations x

Abstract Xl

Abstrak Xll

Introduction

Research Background 1

Significance of Study 3

Objectives 3

Literature Review

Sg Kenyanas background 4 I

Land use status at Sg Kenyana 4

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre) 6

Peat swamp forest 7

Water quality 8

Water quality monitoring and protection measures 9

III

I

I

I

I

I

Impact of water quality parameters to water ecosystem

pH 13

Temperature 14

Turbidity 15

Dissolves Oxygen (DO) 16

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 18

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 19

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 19

Nutrients (Ammoniacal Nitrogen Nitrate amp Phosphorus) 20

Total Coliform Counts (TCC) amp Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 22

Land use effects on aquatic ecosystem 22

Methodology

Study site 24

Collection of water samples 27

Selected In-situ WQ measurement 27

Selected Ex-situ WQ measurement 27

COD 27

BOD 28

TSS 28

Nutrients analysis

Ammoniacal Nitrogen 28

Nitrate 28

IV

Orthophosphate 28

TCCampFCC 29

Data analysis 29

Results and Discussion

The water quality of the sampling stations 30

Ex-situ water parameters

Comparison with the report of water quality ofSg Kenyana and Sg

In-situ water parameters 30

pH 31

Temperature 32

Turbidity 34

Dissolved Oxygen 35

Chemical Oxygen Demand amp Biological Oxygen Demand5 37

Total Suspended Solids 39

Nutrients (Ammoniacal nitrogen nitrate and orthophosphate) 40

Faecal Coliform Counts amp Total Coliform Counts 43

Liwak by NREB 44 t

pH 45

Dissolved Oxygen 45

Biological Oxygen Demand 45

Chemical Oxygen Demand 46

Total Suspended Solids 46

v

47Ammoniacal Nitrogen

47Water quality index (wQI) ofthe sampling stations

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 52

References 53

Appendices 57

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 4: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

I

I

I

I

I

Impact of water quality parameters to water ecosystem

pH 13

Temperature 14

Turbidity 15

Dissolves Oxygen (DO) 16

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 18

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 19

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 19

Nutrients (Ammoniacal Nitrogen Nitrate amp Phosphorus) 20

Total Coliform Counts (TCC) amp Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 22

Land use effects on aquatic ecosystem 22

Methodology

Study site 24

Collection of water samples 27

Selected In-situ WQ measurement 27

Selected Ex-situ WQ measurement 27

COD 27

BOD 28

TSS 28

Nutrients analysis

Ammoniacal Nitrogen 28

Nitrate 28

IV

Orthophosphate 28

TCCampFCC 29

Data analysis 29

Results and Discussion

The water quality of the sampling stations 30

Ex-situ water parameters

Comparison with the report of water quality ofSg Kenyana and Sg

In-situ water parameters 30

pH 31

Temperature 32

Turbidity 34

Dissolved Oxygen 35

Chemical Oxygen Demand amp Biological Oxygen Demand5 37

Total Suspended Solids 39

Nutrients (Ammoniacal nitrogen nitrate and orthophosphate) 40

Faecal Coliform Counts amp Total Coliform Counts 43

Liwak by NREB 44 t

pH 45

Dissolved Oxygen 45

Biological Oxygen Demand 45

Chemical Oxygen Demand 46

Total Suspended Solids 46

v

47Ammoniacal Nitrogen

47Water quality index (wQI) ofthe sampling stations

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 52

References 53

Appendices 57

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 5: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

Orthophosphate 28

TCCampFCC 29

Data analysis 29

Results and Discussion

The water quality of the sampling stations 30

Ex-situ water parameters

Comparison with the report of water quality ofSg Kenyana and Sg

In-situ water parameters 30

pH 31

Temperature 32

Turbidity 34

Dissolved Oxygen 35

Chemical Oxygen Demand amp Biological Oxygen Demand5 37

Total Suspended Solids 39

Nutrients (Ammoniacal nitrogen nitrate and orthophosphate) 40

Faecal Coliform Counts amp Total Coliform Counts 43

Liwak by NREB 44 t

pH 45

Dissolved Oxygen 45

Biological Oxygen Demand 45

Chemical Oxygen Demand 46

Total Suspended Solids 46

v

47Ammoniacal Nitrogen

47Water quality index (wQI) ofthe sampling stations

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 52

References 53

Appendices 57

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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47Ammoniacal Nitrogen

47Water quality index (wQI) ofthe sampling stations

Conclusion and Recommendations

Conclusion 50

Recommendations 52

References 53

Appendices 57

VI

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 7: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

Figure 1 Distribution ofpeat swamps in Southeast Asia 7

Figure 2 Location of sampling stations 25

Figure 3 Mean and SD ofpH values for six stations respectively 32

Figure 4 Mean and SD of temperature values for six stations respectively 33

Figure 5 Mean and SD of turbidity values for six stations respectively 35

Figure 6 Mean and SD of DO concentrations for six stations respectively 36

Figure 7 Mean and SD of COD concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 8 Mean and SD of BODs concentrations for six stations respectively 38

Figure 9 Mean and SD ofTSS concentrations for six stations respectively 39

Figure 10 Mean and SD of ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations for six stations 41

respectively

respectively

Figure 11 Mean and SD of nitrate concentrations for six stations respectively 42

Figure 12 Mean and SD oforthophosphate concentrations for six stations 42

Figure 13 Mean and SD of FCC and TCC values for six stations respectively 43 gt

Vll

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 8: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) 11

recorded at six stations

NREB (2010 and 2012)

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification 12

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses 12

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index 12

Table 5 The GPS coordinates and descriptions of each sampling stations 26

Table 6 Mean values ofdepth river wid th and surface water current 31

Table 7 WQI Comparison ofS1 S3 and S4 with water quality report from 44

Table 8 WQI of six stations respectively S2 S3 and S4 are located at 49

different part ofSg Kenyana

Table 9 Mean water quality readings in Sl - S6 66

viii

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 9: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

57

LIST OF APPENDICES

Page

Appendix 1 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

Appendix 2 Biological Oxygen Demands (BODs) 59

Appendix 3 Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 60

Appendix 4 Ammoniacal Nitrogen 61

Appendix 5 Nitrate 62

Appendix 6 Orthophosphate 63

Appendix 7 Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) 64

Appendix 8 WQI Formula and Calculation 65

Appendix 9 Mean water quality readings in S1 - S6 66

ix

I

LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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LIST OF ABBREVIATION

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

COD Chemical Oxygen Demand

DOE Department of Environment

FCC Faecal Colifonn Counts

Kpg Kampung

mglL milligramliter

mm millimeter

NREB Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak

NTU Nephelometric Turbidity Units

NQWS National Water Quality Standards

SI Station 1

S2 Station 2

S3 Station 3

S4 Station 4

S5 Station 5

S6 Station 6

SO Standard Deviation

Sg Sungai

SK Sekolah Kebangsaan

TCC Total Colifonn Counts

TSS Total Suspended Soilds

WQ Water Quality

x

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 11: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

Impact of Land Use on Water Quality ofSungai Kenyana and Its Tributaries Mukah Sarawak

Dayang Farhanna Binti Awang Bolhasan

Sustainable Land Use and Water Resource Management Programme Faculty of Resource Science and Technology

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

ABSTRACT

(A study was conducted in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries Mukah Sarawak a peat swamp river in order to determine the impact of land use on water quality in the river This area has a great potential for eco-tourism and it also plays important roles as natural habitat for Asian Arowana However the influence of big scale oil palm plantation which also includes huge area of land clearing activities has change the natural condition of the rive) In-situ data and water samples were collected at six sampling stations from 15th until 18 th rv6rch 2013 In-situ data included pH temperature Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and turbidity Analysis for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrate (N03-N) orthophosphate (P04

3-) Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and Faecal Coliform Counts (FCC) were conducted in the laboratory The range values of water quality parameters obtained are as follows pH (436 - 587) temperature (2813 - 2857 DC) turbidity (358 - 950 NTU) Do (008 - 432 mglL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - L90 mglL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mglL) ammoniacal nitrogen (0490 shy1261 mgL) nitrate (01 - 02 mgL) orthophosphate (0036 - 01 05 mgL) TCC (l028 shy2750 countIOO mL) and FCC (333 - 1111 countl 00 mL) Overall the results show that the physical-chemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana were in normal range (Class I and II) except for DO ammoniacal nitrogen FCC and turbidity (Class III - moderate) and COD and pH (Class IV - bad) However the low values of pH and DO are normal for peat water (black water) The Water Quality Index (wQI) was calculated to determine the state of water quality in Sg Kenyana Based on WQI Sg Liwak was categorised under Class IV while Sg Kenyana and Btg Mukah were categorised under Class III Out of six physicochemical parameters of water in Sg Kenyana that are required for WQI calculation four of them were in Class III and IV (PH DO COD and ammoniacal nitrogen) while the other two were in Class I and II (BOD and TSS)

Keywords water quality parameters land use Water Quality Index (WQI) peat swamp river

XI

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 12: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

ABSTRAK

Satu penyelidikan telah dijalankan di Sg Kenyana dan anak-anak sungainya di Mukah Sarawak yang merupakan sungai paya gambut untuk menentukan kesan penggunaan tanah ke atas kualiti air di sungai tersebut Kawasan ini mempunyai potensi yang tinggi untuk dijadikan sebagai eko-pelancongan dan ia juga memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai habitat semulajadi bagi ikan Arowana Data in-situ dan sampel air telah diambil di enam stesen persampelan dari 15 hingga 18 Mac 2013 Data in-situ adalah termasuk pH suhu oksigen terant (DO) dan kekeruhan Analisis untuk permintaan oksigen kimia (COD) permintaan oksigen biologi (BOD) jumlah pepejal terampai (TSS) ammoniakal nitrogen (NH3-N) nitrat (N03-N) ortofosfat (POl) jumlah kiraan koliform (TCC) dan kiraan koliform fekal (FCC) akan ditakukan di makmal Nilai-nitai juat untuk parameter kualiti air adalah seperti berikut pH (436 - 587) suhu (2813 - 2857 DC) kekeruhan (358 - 950 NTU) DO (008 - 432 mgL) COD (405 - 704 mgL) BOD (121 - 190 mgL) TSS (2423 - 5644 mgL) ammoniakal nitrogen (0490 - 1261 mgL) nitrat (01 - 02 mgL) ortofosfat (0036 - 0105 mgL) TCC (1028 - 2750 koloniJOO mL) dan FCC (333 - 11 1 1 koloni100 mL) Secara keseluruhan keputusan tersebut menunjukkan parameter fbkokimia bagi air di Sg Kenyana berada dalam lingkungan normal (Kelas 1 dan 11) kecuali DO ammoniakal nitrogen FCC dan kekeruhan (Kelas III - sederhana) dan COD dan pH (Kelas IV - teruk) Walau bagaimanapun nitai pH dan DO yang rendah adalah normal bagi air tanah gambut (air hitam) Indeks Kualiti Air (wQI) yang telah dikira untuk menentukan kualiti air di Sg Kenyana Berdasarkan kepada WQI Sg Liwak dikategorikan di bawah Kelas IV manakala Sg Kenyana dan Btg Mukah dikategorikan di bawah Kelas 111 Empat daripada enam parameter jizikokimia yang diperlukan untuk melentukan WQI di SgKenyana berada di Keas HI dan IV (pH DO COD dan ammoniakal nitrogen) manakala dua lagi berada di bawah Kelas I dan 11 (BOD dan TSS)

Kata Kunci parameter kualiti air kegunaan tanah Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) sungai paya gambut

Xli

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 13: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

INTRODUCTION

Research Background

Forested peat swamps can be defined as waterlogged forests growing on a layer of

plant material and dead leaves up to 20 metres thick They involve a unique ecosystem

characterised by waterlogging with low dissolved oxygen and nutrients levels in acidic water

systems The naturally high water level ensures their survival by preventing the soil from

drying out to expose the combustible peat matter These swamps provide a variety of services

and goods both directly and indirectly in the form of fisheries and forestry products flood

mitigation water supply energy and groundwater recharge (UNDP 2006)

Peat swamp forests are common in tropical regions with high rainfall where they can

be maintained either by groundwater or by direct rainfall Even though forested peat swamp

occurs in a few areas in Africa and parts of central America more than 60 percent of the

worlds tropical peat lands are found in South-east Asia Most prominent are the large forested

peat swamps in Borneo Island (which belong to Malaysia Indonesia and Brunei) and Sumatra

(Indonesia) However there are also significant areas of peat swamp forests in other parts of

Malaysia Vietnam Indonesia Thailand and Philippines (UNDP 2006) shy

In Malaysia forested peat swamp is the largest wetland type accounting for about 75

percent ofMalaysias total wetlands An estimated 154 million hectares of peat swamp forests

still exist in Malaysia with more than 70 are found in the state of Sarawak 20 can be

found in Peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states of Selangor and Pahang and the rest

can be found in Sabah (UNDP 2006) Only 26 of an estimated 16 million hectares of peat

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 14: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

swamp forests in Sarawak is suitable for conventional commercial agriculture Gandaseca et

al 2009)

Peat swamp forest is important not only for the production of timber but also for its

role in hydrology functions of the ecosystem such as its role in flood mitigation prevention of

saline water intrusion providing habitats and breeding ground for many restricted flora and

fauna sediment and nutrient removal maintenance of river base flow and serving as a vital

carbon sink (Shuhaimi-Othman et ai 2009)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of anthropogenic activities that can cause water deterioration are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers pesticides and herbicides effluents from

industries and waste management plants industrial waste discharges and spills and

construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water

(Weiner 2008)

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of 2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah Sibu

Tourism Board has suggested conserving and protecting several areas that are rich in natural

biodiversity and cultul purposes Therefore Kenyana which has a potential as a natural

habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of the

attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

2

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 15: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

Significance of Study

Sg Kenyana which is located in a peat swamp area whereby serves as an important

natural habitat for blackwater fish including the Asian Arowana Therefore the area has been

proposed to be a nature reserved in order to protect this valuable fish and its habitat from the

land development and will become one of the eco-tourism attractions in Mukah However the

impact of clearing and widening of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries for oil palm

plantation could become a serious threat to the water resources in the area Therefore this

study is essential to identify the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its relation to the land use

especially oil palm plantation in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

Objectives

1 To assess the water quality of Sg Kenyana and its tributaries

2 To examine the impact of land use (oil palm plantation) on water quality along Sg

Kenyana and its tributaries

j

3

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 16: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sg Kenyanas Background

Sg Kenyana is one of the tributaries ofBtg Mukah that is located in Mukah Sarawak

According to data provided by Forest Department Mukah Division approximately 6416760

ha of total forest in Mukah Division is covered by hill or mixed dipterocarp forest while peat

swamp forest covers approximately 2527740 ha which also include the area in Sg Kenyana

Most part of lower Sg Kenyana is covered by pandan and mats of water hyacinth

According to the Inland Fisheries Section of the Agricultural Department Sg Kenyana and its

tributaries are one of the natural habitats for arowana fish in Sarawak There are also several

type of fish dominating in Sg Kenyana and its tributaries besides the Asian arowana such as

belida toman kaloi tapah and baung as reported in the study by Inland Fisheries Section

Agriculture Department Mukah Division in 2007

Other activities along this river besides oil palm plantation include trees cutting wood

utilisation and fishing Heavy machineries can also be seen where they are used to clear river

bank and widen Sg Kenyana to drain out flood water from Rinwood Oil Palm Plantation

along the river i

Land Use Status at Sg Kenyana

Kpg Sitieng is the only settlement area that can be found along Sg Kenyana There is

no basic infrastructure such as road communication line electricity and clean water supply in

the area The local communities that live nearby the area depend on generators for electricity

4

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

Page 17: IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI … of Land Use On Water... · 2016-01-11 · IMPACT OF LAND USE ON WATER QUALITY OF SUNGAI KENYANA AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MUKAH, SARAWAK

Pusat Kbidmat Maklumat Akadfmih UNlVERSm MALAYSIA SARAWAIlt

and rain water for consumption The only developments that can be seen in the area are SK

Muara Kenyana Balai Raya Kg Sitieng and Kenyana Lake Information Centre

Other than involving in sago trees harvesting activities and working as general workers

at nearby plantations the local communities also depend on Sg Kenyana for the main source

of their economical resource Sg Kenyana is also important for transportation since there is

still no road that can reach the area

According to Sarawak Forest Department only 20 of the original peat land was still

being covered by peat swamp forest while most of the peat lands in Mukah Division had been

converted for sago plantation oil palm plantation and planted forest (NREB(b) 2009) About

55 of total peat land has already been converted to oil palm plantation followed by sago

plantation which is 16 and planted forest 9 (NREB(b) 2009)

By the end of 2007 more than 40 of the total oil palm planted areas in Sarawak is

located in Mukah Division which is approximately 295614 ha and 15 121 ha of the oil palm

plantation is developed under Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation where it includes half of Sg

Kenyana area (NREB(a) 2009) There are also several other big scale oil palm plantations

located nearby Sg Kenyana Other than oil palm plantations the economic enlargement in

Mukah Diviosion has also been influenced by sago plantations However the area that has

been planted with sago trees is far from this study area

5

Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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Eco-tourism (Kenyana Lake Information Centre)

Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) project which has been announced by

the Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2009 has rapidly increased the population in Mukah and thus

brought positive development to the area

Mukah has been aimed to be one of the main targets for tourism industry in Sarawak

by the year of2015 (SIMU 2004) As stated in tourism management plan for Mukah several

areas that are rich in natural biodiversity and cultural purposes have been suggested by the

Sibu Tourism Board to be conserved and protected Therefore Kenyana which has a potential

as a natural habitat for the protected Asian Arowana (green variety) has been chosen as one of

the attractions for eco-tourism in Mukah and also has been proposed to be gazetted as Nature

Reserved

Mukah Resident Office has started the first phase of the eco-tourism project that costs

RM 1000000 which includes the building facilities comprises the belian plant walk and 600

m length gazebo The Kenyana Lake Information Centre had been completed in 2009 and

taken over and maintained by Mukah Dalat Municipal Council in 20 10 Even though the first

phase of the project had been completed the area is still not functioning as planned due to several external factors such as lack of promotions and transportation problem Furthermore

the clearing and widening of the upper part of Sg Kenyana using heavy machineries by the

plantation workers has lead to the deterioration of water quality of the river and could affect

the natural habitat of the aquatic organisms

6

Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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Peat Swamp Forest

Tropical peat swamp forests can be found in parts of Africa and northeastern South

America but are most widespread in Southeast Asia where they are concentrated on the

islands of Borneo and Sumatra and on peninsular Malaysia (UNDP 2006) These swamps

derived their name from their substrate of peat that consists of plant detritus which gradually

release tannins and organic acids into poorly buffered water (Beamish et ai 2003)

Figure 1 Distribution of peat swamps in Southeast Asia (Source UNDP 2006)

of

The dark brown to black in colour of the peat forests waters is resulted by high levels

of humus humic acids and tannins (Ng et ai 1994 Beamish et ai 2003) The area of peat

swamp is also known by its extreme acidic environment with low water pH values low in

nutrients and dissolved oxygen (Rahim et ai 2009 Satrio et ai 2009 Yule and Gomez

7

2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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2009) According to Law (2011) water of peat swamp contains low dissolved oxygen (DO)

because oftransfonnation of inorganic ions into larger molecules by humic acid

The peat swamp forests face increasing destruction through drainage and conversion to

agricultural land despite the mUltiple ecosystem services provided by them The peat swamp

forests of Peninsular Malaysia for example were reduced from 067 million ha to 034 million

ha between 1981 and 1991 More than 70 of the existing peat forests in Malaysia are found

in the state of Sarawak on Borneo Island with a small percentage found in the state of Sabah

on Borneo Island and the remaining approximately 20 along the west coast and east coast of

peninsular Malaysia particularly in the states ofSelangor and Pahang (UNDP 2006)

Water Quality

The term water quality is used to describe the biological chemical and physical

characteristics of water that affect the ecosystem health and water suitability for human

consumption such as drinking industrial use and irrigation (Li and Migliaccio 2011) The

biological constituents of water are living organisms such as bacteria protozoans viruses

insects plants zooplankton phytoplankton and fish while the chemical constituents of water

are substances that dissolved in water such as nutrients pesticides materials and other organic compounds The most common physical characteristics of water are temperature

turbidi ty colour odour and taste (Li and Migliacci 2011)

Water quality can be affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors

Some important sources of human activities that can cause water contamination are

agricultural applications of chemical fertilisers herbicides and pesticides industrial waste

8

discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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discharges and spills effluents from industries and waste management plants and construction and mining where freshly exposed minerals and soils can contact flowing water (Weiner

2008)

A variety of factors can influence water quality in streams and rivers Studies showed

that water degradation could be caused by two general sources which are the non-point

sources represented by farmland and urban area runoff and the point sources which typically

include household or industrial wastewater and wastewater treatment plants (Guo et at 2010)

Point sources of pollutants are important but in many areas non-point sources such as the

runoff from agricultural and urban area are larger and more intractable problems (Atasoy et

at 2006)

Water Quality Monitoring and Protection Measures

According to USEP A water quality screening is conducted to characterize water and

identify changes or trends in water quality over time The Natural Resources and

Environmental Board (NREB) Sarawak has started the River Water Quality Monitoring

Program (RWQMP) since 1999 in order to manage and protect the environment of Sarawak

where the objective is to determine water quality changes and detect sources of pollution I

(Sumok 200 I) This ts in line with the Government effort to regulate development activities

and to help achieve the State Governments obj ctive of maintaining water quality of rivers to

at least Class lIB of the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Sumok

2001)

9

Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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Water samples were collected at regular intervals from designated stafons for in-situ

and laboratory analysis to determine its physico-chemical and biological characteristics The

Water Quality Index (WQI) was used as a basis for assessment of a watercourse in relation to

pollution load categorization and designation of classes of beneficial uses as required in the

National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) (Table I) The WQI was derived

using Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Chemical Oxygen

Demand (COD) Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) Suspended Solids (SS) and pH (Table 2)

Malaysian rivers can be classified according to six classes based on the parameters of

water quality The water classes and uses are summarised in Table 3 while Table 4 shows the

DOE water quality classification based on water quality index

10

Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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Table 1 National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQSM) (Source EQR2011)

Parameter I

Unit Class I IIA 1m III IV V

Ammoniacal Nitrogen

mglL 01 03 03 09 27 gt 27

BOD mglL I 3 3 6 12 gt 12

COD mglL 10 25 25 50 100 gt 100

DO mgiL 7 5 - 7 5-7 I 3 - 5 lt 3 lt I

pH - 65 - 85 6 - 9 i 6-9 5-9 I

5 - 9I -TSS mglL 25 50 50 150 I 300 300

Temperature degC - I Normal

plusmn2degC - Nonnal

plusmn2degC - -

Turbidity NTU 5 50 50 - - -FCC countl 00

mL 10 100 400 5000

(20000) 5000

(20000) -

TCC CountIOO mL

100 5000 5000 50000 50000 gt 50000

Nitrate mglL Natural levels or absent

70 70 I - 50 Levels above IV

Phosphorus mglL Natural levels or absent

02

02 01 - Levels above IV

Notes Geometric mean a Maximum not to be exceeded

gt

II

Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12

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Table 2 DOE Water Quality Index Classification (Source EQR2011)

Parameters Units Classes

I II III I IV V

pH - gt7 6-7 5-6 I

lt5 gt5

DO mglL gt 7 5-7 3-5 1 - 3 lt 1

COD mglL lt10 10 - 25 25 - 50 50 shy 100 gt 100

BOD mgL lt 1 1 - 3 3-6 6 shy 12 gt 12

TSS mglL lt 25 25 - 50 50 - 150 150 - 300 gt 300

NH3-N mgL lt 01 OI-OJ OJ shy 0 9 09 -27 gt 27

WQI - gt 927 765 - 927 519 -765 310 - 519 lt 310

Table 3 Water Classes and Uses (Source EQR2011)

Class Uses

Class I I Conservation of natural environment

Water Supply 1- Practically no treatment necessary

Fishery I - Very sensitive aquatic species

Class IIA Water supply II ~ Conventional treatment requITed

Fishery II shy Sensitive aquatic species

Class 1m Recreational use with body contact

Class III Water supply II1 - Extensive treatment required

Fishery 111- Common of economic value and tolerant species livestock drinking

Class IV Irrigation

Class V None of the above

Table 4 DOE Water quality classification based on water quality index (Source EQR2011)

Sub Index amp Water Quality Index Index Range

Clean Slightly PoUuted Polluted

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 91 - 100 80 - 90 0-79

Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) 92 - 100 71 - 91 0-70

Suspended Solid (SS) 76 - 100 70 -75 0-69

Water Quality Index (WQI) 81 - 1~00 60 - 80 0-59

12