The effect of bauxite mining on water quality of Sungai Mabuk at Bukit Goh, Kuantan

Abstract

The usage of contaminated water can affect especially to the health of human, animals and plants. Bauxite mining in a district of Kuantan, Pahang offers some exciting economic opportunities for various people, especially individual land owners. Nevertheless, the ‘bauxite boom’, the extensive and uncontrolled mining activities have great potentials to cause adverse impacts on the environment especially water quality in the river nearby. The area of the study is Felda Bukit Goh, Kuantan, whereby Sungai Mabuk is situated at one of the sources of the water intake of Bukit Goh treatment plant. The objectives of the study are to determine the effect of bauxite mining activity to the water quality of Sungai Mabuk according to Water Quality Index (WQI) and National Water Quality Standard (NWQS) including bauxite parameters such as aluminium, ferum and silica. QUAL2E modelling is using in order to predict the water quality. In this study, water samples are taken from three stations S1, S2 and S3 along the river during the sunny and rainy day. The water quality parameters are also used to develop the QUAL2E model of Sungai Mabuk. The results show the values of NH3N, Al and Fe are among the largest contributor of pollution in Sungai Mabuk. Bauxite mining activity contributed to the increase of Al and Fe parameter in river. However, TSS content in Sungai Mabuk is low and this shows that the bauxite mining activity nearby is manageable and under control. The WQI mean values are 78.59 %, 77.09 % and 73.56 % at stations S1, S2 and S3 respectively during a sunny day and can classified as Class II and III. The WQI value decreases which is 74.63 %, 72.82 % and 69.3 % at stations S1, S2 and S3 respectively during a rainy day and can classify as Class III with moderately pollutedduring a rainy day. The QUAL2E model was successfully used to predict the pattern and trend of the water quality parameters. Beside that, with the pollution that matches effluent Standard B released by DOE or if the pollution situation is worst, it still occurs that Sungai Mabuk is under control and can make a process of purification of the river. The river pollutant parameters are under control and the downward trend occurs at the downstream side.