Analysis of Saline Intrusion Dynamics and Patterns in the Parit Botak Channel

Abstract

Saline water is measured by its salinity, the amount or concentration of dissolved salts. Daily, a tidal phenomenon occurs in the Parit Botak channel, regardless of whether it is low or high. There is no tidal gate that separates the Parit Botak channel from seawater. Hence, the primary objectives of this study are identifying saline water characteristics and investigating the saline water intrusion patterns during high tide along the Parit Botak channel. In this study, in-situ testing methodology was employed using a multifunctional water quality tester. Three stations were selected to conduct in-situ tests to identify the characteristics of saline water flow in the open channel. The investigation of saline water intrusion was carried out with daily data collection during high tide from November 1st to December 31st, 2023. Weather conditions and moon phases were not considered in this case study. Thus, the investigation along the Parit Botak channel revealed that the water characteristics classify it as brackish to saline, with moderate salinity levels. In addition, the saltwater intrusion was stretched to a distance of 18.03 km, accompanied by a tidal height of 2.96 m. The tide heights impacted the degree and variations of saltwater infiltration, although this relationship was not consistently linear. The irregularity of the fluctuation patterns was caused by severe precipitation or the moon phase.