The Effects of Tidal events on Water Quality in the coastal area of Petani River Basin, Malaysia

Hazzeman Haris* and Wan Maznah Wan Omar

School of Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author: Phone: 013-5019425

Email: ha33eman@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to assess the effects of tidal events on water quality in the coastal area of Petani River Basin, and to understand the role it plays in the river ecosystem. Water quality characteristics at two sampling stations located near the estuary in Petani River Basin that received sea water intrusion during high tide were analysed. A 24 hours observation, with 4 hours intervals were carried out during neap and spring tide. Conductivity, salinity, temperature, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrite, nitrate, ammonia and orthophosphate were measured. Several parameters were affected by the tidal events such as salinity, conductivity, TDS, alkalinity and nitrite which recorded higher concentrations during high tide, while parameters such as TSS, ammonia and pH were higher during low tide. The effects of tide on the parameters measured were more pronounced during spring tide compared to neap tide which recorded minimal changes in seawater intrusion during high and low tide. This suggested that some water quality parameters are more easily influenced by spring tide and should be taken into consideration in water quality monitoring in rivers affected by tidal events from the sea.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ENVIRONMENT 2008 (ICERT 2008), PENANG, MALAYSIA.