Evaluation of quality and hydrogeochemistry of rock aquifers in Jurong Formation at Southern Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Abstract

Jurong Formation underlies part of Southern Johor Bahru which comprises well cemented and consolidated volcanic-sedimentary rocks. The study aims to assess quality and hydrogeochemistry of rock aquifer in Jurong Formation at Southern Johor Bahru which is mainly overlain by rhyolitic tuff. It also evaluates the differences in quality and hydrogeochemistry of rhyolitic tuff aquifer found in source and floodplain zones of South-West Johor Rivers Basin. In this study, a total of nine samples from four wells, namely TW1–TW4, were collected at foothills of Gunung Pulai (TW1) and Iskandar Puteri (TW2–TW4) in Southern Johor Bahru. The samples were examined for physiochemical parameters. The groundwater in the study area is fresh and non-saline with hardness of soft to hard. The pH of groundwater in source zone is significantly higher than in floodplain zone. Meanwhile, the hardness of groundwater in source zone is significantly lower than in other deep wells in floodplain zone as more calcite mineral is present. The concentration of manganese, iron and zinc is lower at source zone than floodplain zone. Three facies of water types were encountered during the study such as CaNaHCO3 in TW2, CaHCO3 in TW1 and TW3 and CaCl2 in TW4. The deep wells in floodplain zone are susceptible to saline intrusion. Finally, the groundwater quality in the study area is found to control by rock weathering especially silicates and carbonates, rainfall and proximity to seawater. This suggests the major control on groundwater chemistry is due to leaching of volcanic rocks and dissolution on calcite infillings. In conclusion, the groundwater is clean and safe in general although pH value is slightly acidic closer to straits and magnesium’s presence in higher concentration at TW2.