Sains Malaysiana 38(6)(2009): 805–812
Evolution of Groundwater
Chemistry in the Shallow Aquifer of a
Small Tropical Island in Sabah, Malaysia
(Evolusi Kimia Air Bawah Tanah Akuifer Cetek Pulau Tropika Bersaiz Kecil di Sabah, Malaysia)
Ahmad Zaharin Aris*
Department of Environmental Sciences
Faculty of Environmental Studies
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor,
Malaysia
Mohd Harun Abdullah & Sarva Mangala Praveena
Environmental Science Programme
School of Science and Technology
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah,
Malaysia
Diserahkan: 10 Disember 2008 / Diterima: 27 Mac 2009
ABSTRACT
Groundwater
is the prime source of freshwater in most small islands. A detailed groundwater
and seawater chemistry study was undertaken from March 2006 to January 2007 to
examine the evolution of groundwater in the shallow aquifer of Manukan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. Coastal groundwater
aquifers especially for small islands are often exposed to heavy pumping and
consequently to risks of seawater intrusion. Major ion chemistry analysis
showed that the groundwater quality of the island experienced changes
attributed to seawater intrusion. The groundwater has undergone a compositional
change from Ca-rich to Na-rich which can be explained mostly by simple mixing
process and cation exchange process. From the PHREEQC simulation model, calcite, dolomite and aragonite solubility
showed positive mean values (0.65; 1.11; 0.51, respectively) of the saturation
indices (SI) indicating supersaturation which attributed from the simple mixing and eventually cation exchange process. This information is important in protecting and remediating
the disturbed aquifer situation.
Keywords:
Groundwater chemistry evolution; PHREEQC; small island aquifer; seawater intrusion
ABSTRAK
Air bawah tanah merupakan sumber utama air tawar di kebanyakan pulau-pulau bersaiz kecil. Kajian terperinci kimia air bawah tanah dan air laut dilakukan dari Mac 2006 hingga Januari 2007 bagi mengetahui proses evolusi air bawah tanah akuifer cetek di Pulau Manukan, Sabah, Malaysia. Akuifer air bawah tanah di kawasan pantai selalunya terdedah kepada pengepaman berlebihan dan seterusnya mengakibatkan risiko penerobosan air laut. Analisis kimia ion-ion utama menunjukkan bahawa kualiti air bawah tanah di pulau tersebut mengalami proses perubahan yang disebabkan oleh penerobosan air laut. Air bawah tanah mengalami perubahan komposisi daripada kaya-Ca kepada kaya-Na yang boleh diterangkan secara jelas oleh proses percampuran dan juga proses penukargantian kation. Daripada simulasi model PHREEQC, keterlarutan kalsit, dolomit dan aragonit menunjukkan nilai purataSI (0.65; 1.11; 0.51 masing-masing) adalah positif yang diakibatkan oleh percampuran air dan seterusnya membawa kepada proses penukargantian kation. Maklumat ini adalah berguna bagi menjaga dan memelihara akuifer yang telah terganggu.
Kata kunci: Akuifer pulau kecil; evolusi air bawah tanah; penerobosan air laut; PHREEQC
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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; e-mail: zaharin@env.upm.edu.my
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