Analysis of water quality parameters using environmetric technique for health risk assessment of rivers pollution sources pre COVID-19 Pandemic in Gebeng Industrial Area, Pahang, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ab Wahab, Siti Umi Kalthum, Hairuddin, Haikhal Fakhreez, Mohd Aris, Mohd Shukri, Khan Chowdhury, Ahmed Jalal
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2021
• Subjects: QD Chemistry; SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/96562/7/96562_Analysis%20of%20water%20quality%20parameters.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96562/13/96562_Analysis%20of%20water%20quality%20parameters%20using%20environmetric%20technique.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/96562/; https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/202111231847304)_2021_0471.pdf

Introduction: Significance of rivers in Malaysia for drinking water, irrigation, aquaculture, fisheries, and tourism purpose is beyond argument. However, both natural processes and anthropogenic activities may result in the deprivation of river water quality. This state will spoil its use for different human purposes and also may affect the residents’ health. Methods: A total of six sampling stations from both Balok and Tunggak Rivers were selected on a location basis and physicochemical parameters reading were measured monthly pre-COVID-19 Pandemic spread in Malaysia from September 2019 to February 2020. Later, the data was matched to the Malaysian National Water Quality Standard (MNWQS). Cluster and Principal Component Analysis (CA and PCA) were applied to determine the variations of pollution sources. Results: Temperature and pH were found to be within acceptable value throughout the period, while Dissolved Oxygen showed an abysmal reading for sampling point T1 and thus was classified as class V. CA grouped the six sampling stations into three clusters which are T1 was considered as the most polluted area. PCA yield only two significant components that represented 68.66% of the total variability. The first component (35.83%) has higher loadings on pH, specific conductivity, and salinity, while the second component (32.83%) has higher loadings on temperature and dissolved oxygen. Conclusion: The results from this study can provide significant information regarding the current status of rivers water quality in the Gebeng area, and the method proposed also can be used as a strategy for river water monitoring and ecological studies in the future