Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Dissolved Oxygen and Suspended Sediment in Kelantan River Basin

Abstract

Dissolved oxygen and suspended sediment are the most important parameters used to assess the water quality of the river. The concern of freshwater pollution problems in Malaysia since the past few decades has resulted in the importance of monitoring dissolved oxygen concentration as a barometer for river health. This study attempted to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of dissolved oxygen and suspended sediment in the Kelantan River Basin, Peninsular Malaysia. Water samples were collected during dry and wet seasons at three sampling stations along the Kelantan River in 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2017, and 2018. Results showed that the dissolved oxygen in 2005 has ranged between 6.8 and 8.4 mg/L during the dry season, and there was a slight reduction of DO concentration during the wet season with a concentration between 6.3 and 7.8 mg/L. Continuous declination of DO concentrations was recorded along the Kelantan River from the year 2005 to the year 2018. The decrease of DO concentrations was linear to the increase of suspended sediment concentration. Increasing land use activities for agriculture, mining, and forest harvesting have attributed to the water pollutions in Kelantan River, Malaysia, due to the increase of suspended sediment concentration, which brings the pollutants.