Assessment of Saltwater Intrusion and Its Effects on Water Quality at Pantai Punggur, Johor

Abstract

Coastal regions in Malaysia face significant risks from saltwater intrusion, influenced by multiple factors such as climate change, increasing sea levels, and human activities like agriculture, industry, and urban development. A study was carried out to investigate saltwater intrusion at Pantai Punggur, Batu Pahat. A series of tests are conducted to determine the characteristics of water using the Horiba Water Quality Monitor test. The parameters under consideration include salinity (ppt), dissolved oxygen (DO) (mg/L), turbidity (NTU), total dissolved solids (TDS) (g/L), and pH. Ten distinct sections were examined along the Pantai Punggur to assess the various parameters. The findings reveal that the highest salinity levels in Pantai Punggur are found at point sections 1 to 4, where saltwater intrusion is evident, exhibiting salinity values between 17.8 and 26.2 ppt. Consequently, saline water is observed at section points 5 to 10, where the measurement approaches 0 ppt. In terms of dissolved oxygen, the results indicate that the locations with the highest DO levels are points 8 and 9, with measurements ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 mg/L. The pH values at sampling points 1 to 6 are expected to be alkaline, falling within the range of 7.3 to 7.84. The red zone in turbidity indicates the peak turbidity values, which range from 60 to 80 NTU at point sections 8, 9, and 10. The maximum value for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ranges from 18 to 25 between sampling point 1 and point 2. These findings enhance our comprehension of the dynamics within coastal ecosystems. The study offers important findings for upcoming agricultural methods in salt-affected regions, with the goal of enhancing crop yield and informing stakeholders about the effects of saltwater intrusion on farming.