Evaluation of marine water quality in coastal area

Abstract

Marine water quality has become a serious matter because of its effects on human health, marine life and aquatic ecosystems. With the growth of human populations and increase in industries, pollution of marine water has become serious matter and the sources are from fish culture, toilet flushing, recreation, urbanization, assimilation and transport of pollution effluents. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the water quality near the coastal area in Kuala Perlis, to compare the chemical analysis obtained with Marine Water Quality Criteria and Standard (MWQCS) and to calculate Marine Water Quality Index. This study consists of the marine water quality parameters which are pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate, total suspended solid, oil and grease, phosphate and faecal choliform parameters, comparison with the Interim Marine Water Quality Standard (IMWQS) and calculation of Marine Water Quality Index (MWQI) Water samples were collected at 4 sampling locations which are jetty port, restaurant area, Kuala Sungai Bahru and Sungai Kuala Perlis. Chemical analysis were analyzed graphically and results shows different in reading due to the different season of samples taken. Data obtained are compared with the (IMWQS) by Department of Environment (DOE). All of the sampling locations followed the standard provided by IMWQS and does not exceed the limit of pollutions. Based on MWQI Calculations, Jetty Port is classified into poor category since the index value is 44.11 while restaurant, Kuala Sungai Baru and Kuala Sungai Perlis are classified into moderate category since the index values are 79.82, 60.80 and 69.84. In a nutshell, Jetty Port is the most polluted sampling point than restaurant, Kuala Sungai Baru and Kuala Sungai Perlis since it is categorized in poor category.