CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Introduction

1.1.1 River Referring to an article by Paul D. N. Hebert (2011), Rivers are of immense importance geologically, biologically, historically and culturally. Although they contain only about 0.0001% of the total amount of water in the world at any given time, rivers are vital carriers of water and nutrients to areas all around the earth. They are critical components of the hydrological cycle, acting as drainage channels for surface water the world's rivers drain nearly 75% of the earth's land surface. They provide habitat, nourishment and means of transport to countless organisms. Their powerful forces create majestic scenery which provides travel routes for exploration, commerce and recreation. There were also valuable deposits of sediments, such as sand and gravel while forming vast floodplains where many of our cities are built. In addition, their power also provides much of the electrical energy we use in our everyday lives. Rivers are central to many of the environmental issues that concern society, and they are studied by a wide range of specialists including hydrologists, engineers, ecologists and geomorphologists (Paul D. N. Hebert, 2011).

They are natural watercourses, flowing over the surface in extended hollow formations (i.e., channels), which drain discrete areas of mainland with a natural gradient. In basic terms the existence of a river depends on three things: the availability of surface water, a channel in the ground, and an inclined surface. Essentially, a river represents the excess of precipitation over evaporation for a certain land area (Paul D. N. Hebert, 2011).

1.1.2 Status of river water resources

The river systems in Malaysia are an integral part of the water resources system. There are more than 100 river systems in Peninsular Malaysia and more than 50 river systems in Sabah and Sarawak. River systems as a whole, with or without impounding reservoirs, are estimated to contribute about 97% of the raw water supply source. Due to population growth, coupled with rapid agricultural and industrial development, the availability of adequate water resources to meet increasing water demand is fast becoming a pressing issue where water resources is polluted (www.riverbasin.org, 2012).

1.1.3 Sediment In general, sediment is defined as particles derived from soil or rock that have been, or are being transported by water or wind. The erosion of land surfaces and stream banks produces sediment. However, in the river, there are contaminated sediment which threatens water supplies and recreation, and causes harm to plant and fish communities (David Suh, 2006).

1.1.4 Sediment formations in Hydrologic cycle A study by David Suh (2006) stated that the water cycle is the continuous movement of water over, above and beneath the Earths surface. It is powered by solar energy and no

beginning or end. Water moves from compartment to compartment, such as from river to ocean, by the physical process of evaporation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and subsurface flow.

Source from: David Suh (2006)

On the other hand, Runoff is the movement of surface water to the oceans, chiefly in the form of rivers, lakes, and streams. Runoff consists of precipitation that neither evaporates, transpires nor penetrates the surface to become groundwater. As it flows, the water may

infiltrate into the ground, evaporate into the air, become stored in lakes or reservoirs, or be extracted for agricultural or either human uses (David Suh, 2006). A portion of runoff enters rivers in valleys in the landscape, with stream flow with moving water towards the oceans. Runoff, and groundwater seepage, accumulate and are stored as freshwater in lakes causes pollution to the water due to the pollutants attached within the sediment (David Suh, 2006).

Chemicals such as some pesticides, phosphorus, and ammonium are transported with sediment in an adsorbed state, and chemical sediment forms as minerals crystallize and settle from water that contains lots of dissolved particles. In a particular situation, such as decreased oxygen concentrations in the overlaying waters or the development of anaerobic conditions in the bottom sediments, these chemical particles can be released from the sediment which leads to water pollution (David Suh, 2006).

1.2

Problem Statement

1.2.1 Water pollution at Sembrong River According to Sinar Harian Reporter (2012), which stated that Sembrong river was once used as water supply for consumers in Batu Pahat but then was terminated due to water pollution. On the other hand, a research by Ab Aziz, A.L., Ahmad Tarmizi, A.K., Nor Haslina, H and Aida, M. (2011) stated that Sembrong River is highly acidic and metal-polluted due to intensive multiple crops farming, agricultural soil drainage activities and animal farming are practiced along the flood plain of the river. Thus, a study on this river will be carried out in order to find the correlation between contaminated sediment with river water pollution.

1.3

Objective

To fulfill the requirements of this study, there are several objectives to be achieved:i. To investigate the concentration of heavy metals in the sediment of Sembrong River. ii. To determine the quality of sediments in Sembrong River based on the concentration of heavy metals.

1.4

Limitation of the study

1.4.1 Scope The study will take place at Sembrong River where samples are to be taken at one point. The study will focus on the concentration of heavy metal in this river where the heavy metal includes plumbum, chromium, nitrate, manganese and zinc while the tests to be carried out are physical characterization of raw samples and chemical characterization of raw samples.

1.4.2 The main constraints The main constraint that was expected on this study is the method to be use for sampling since the faculty did not have the proper equipment. Besides that, safety is at stake since the samples to be taken were in the middle of the river where boats are needed. The consequence from these constraints leads to inaccurateness values of data.

1.4.3 Definition of terms i. The term Sembrong River in this study refer to the location near the water treatments plants downstream reach of the river. ii. The term one point in this study refers to the location which is in the middle of the river. iii. The term of physical characterization of raw samples refer to the tests of moisture content, atterberg limits, sieve analysis and particle size analyzer (CILAS). iv. The term of chemical characterization of raw samples refer to the tests of pH, XRay Fluorescence (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

1.5

Importance of study The importances of this study are as follows: This study will reveal the relationship between heavy metals content in river sediment on how much it influenced with the river water condition. Instill awareness to farmers especially about the danger of using pesticides or chemical fertilizer towards the water quality at nearby river. Allows the authorities to take appropriate action in order to control agricultural activities and preserve the environment.

1.6

Expected Results The results to be expected from this study are classification of soil sediment in this river

whether its clayey or sandy from the CILAS test and the chemical content level which to be related as one of the pollution contributors.

REFERENCES 1. Paul D.N. Hebert (2011). The Encyclopedia of Earth. River. Retrieved on April 23, 2012, from http://www.eoearth.org/article/River 2. Riverbasin.org (2012). River basin geography in Malaysia. Retrieved on April 23, 2012, from http://www.riverbasin.org/index.cfm?&menuid=81&parentid=51 3. 4. David Suh, Sediment Pollution. TSM 424 Semester Project. Matt Hangsleben; 2006. Sinar Harian Reporter, Sinar Harian News, SAJ Jamin Bekalan Air Tetap Bersih. Johor. 2012. 5. Ab Aziz, A.L., Ahmad Tarmizi. A.K., Nor Haslina, H and Aida, M., Acid Sulphate Soil Effects on River Water Quality, 2011.