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The Impacts Of To Water Quality: Case Study On Langgas River, Kunak, Sabah, Malaysia.

O. Oksel.1, N. Razali.2*, M.K. Yusoff.3, M.Z. Ismail.4, K.F Pa’ee.2, K.N Ibrahim.2 1 Chemsain Konsultan Sdn. Bhd., Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. 2 Universiti Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology, Malaysia. 3 UPM Consultancy & Services Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia. 4 Professional Environmental Services, Selangor, Malaysia. * Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract— An integrated farming system is probably the most through globalization towards the empowerment of small th benign agricultural production system from the environmental farmers. During 8 Malaysian Plan period, agriculture sector perspective, where crop and livestock production are in balance has done justice by showing a tremendous growth. with nature. However, over the years the increased applications Revitalizing integrated farming system is inevitable in order for of , pesticides and grazing intensities, have the country to still produce food for the growing population undoubtedly led to significant potential of river . This while preserving the environment. It is a means of achieving study was carried out to determine the impacts of integrated in a manner that balances food farming towards Langgas River water quality. The frequency of production, profitability, safety, animal welfare, social sampling was three times per day in three months continuously. responsibility and environmental care. However, in parallel of The physical and chemical water quality analyses were carried economic expansion, agriculture activities have caused water out according to the APHA procedures. The water quality pollution especially to river water. This is because river has parameters studied were phosphate, ammonia-nitrogen, played a major role in producing water supply into agriculture biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand due to dynamic ecosystems, which change constantly from (COD), turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, source in the highland forests to the sink where they meet the conductivity and total suspended solid (TSS). From the overall sea. However, over the years the increased applications of finding, the study indicated that integrated farming effected fertilizers, pesticides and grazing intensities have undoubtedly Langgas River water quality but in the value is still within the led to significant potential of river pollution. According to acceptable limit. From the mean concentration results, Langgas history, water pollution scenario in Malaysia has started since River is free from organic contamination. Meanwhile, from the the beginning of agriculture in Malaysia which started in the statistical analysis, only five parameters showed significant early 1970’s [1]. Markantonatos et al. [2] and Fytianos et al. [3] differences (p<0.05). also prove this scenario in their studies. These impacts influence not only to the water flow rate through the system Index Term-- Integrated farming; pollution; river; water but also its routine and quality. Within the , the soil of quality downward percolation and lateral flow are affected to a large I. INTRODUCTION degree by drainage and tillage practices, whilst the quality of The high yield characteristic of modern, intensive farming water percolating into the bedrock and escaping back to the system in temperate areas often initiate man’s ability to modify surface is influenced by factors such as regimes, the agro ecosystem in order to provide a more favorable pesticides usage livestock management. environment for crop growth. Certain modifications are needed Malaysia Department of Environment (DOE) has stated that including the new species, the elimination of competing plants agriculture and livestock plays a main role in contributing river and other organisms by the use of pesticides and the removal water pollution among other polluter as stated in Fig. 1. habitats which often needs a high level of fertilizer. With the Livestock wastewater contains high concentration of organic upcoming growth in the world of agriculture, scientist and and inorganic nitrogen compound, pathogenic bacteria and technologies has come out with various methods in upgrading high concentration of ammonia-nitrogen [4]. In addition, the benefits margin. The only way for commercial farming to be animals waste have been well documented to cause severe viable and produce maximum productivity at the lowest costs environmental damage in rivers which nutrient rich waste is integrated farming system; a method where one combines runoff will reach surface water, where it depletes oxygen and two or more different types of agriculture in one area. increase the algae production. Beside serious environmental In Malaysia, integrated farming is an inspirational example of problem, animal waste also may become a source of various how sustainable agriculture development can be achieved diseases such as infectious worm larvae hatched from the 1943091-IJET-IJENS © October 2009 IJENS I J E N S

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worm eggs passed out with the feces; contamination encrusted II. MATERIALS AND METHODS with organic matter is an ideal breeding ground of harmful The study area was located the district of Kunak; situated at bacteria. Arthropods such as flies, lice, fleas that are attracted the south eastern coast of the State of Sabah, Malaysia. It by animal waste may trigger outbreak of infectious diseases, covers an area of approximately 438 square miles or 1134 because they are the vectors to transmit diseases such as square kilometers. It is bordered by the District of Tawau to the viruses, protozoa and helminthes [5]. south, the District of Semporna to the east and the District of Lahad Datu to the north. From economic point of view, generally Kunak is a rich agricultural district. It is estimated that more than 80,000 hectares of its area are suitable for agricultural purposes. The major crops cultivated in the area Pig Farming, 5% are oil palm and cocoa. Beside agriculture, Kunak is also well- Manufacturing known for its fishing industry. It is estimated that the District Industry, 45% of Kunak produces an average of approximately 25,000 metric Sewage Treatment tons of sea products annually. Logging activities which were Plant, 47% significant in the past has lost its importance nowadays. In this study, an anonymous estate that implemented Agro Based Industry, 9% integrated farming activity has been selected. The study area is about 0.61 square kilometers and surrounded by oil palm estate along with other agricultural activities including pig farming, cow farming and small human settlement. Manufacturing Industry Agro Based Industry Sewage Treatment Plant Pig Farming

Fig. 1. Composition of Water Pollution Sources by Sector In 2006

Fig. 1. Sampling Location Four different sampling points (Table I) were chosen which consumed of upper part of Langgas River; consisted of clear The frequency of sampling was three times per day in three water flowing over series of shallow gravel riffles (Station 1), months continuously. Water samples were collected using acid downstream of Langgas River which is border of the estate wash polyethylene bottles. Samples were collected in pre (Station 2), middle of Langgas River (Station 3) and Madai washed bottle in order to produce homogeneous medium. The Waterfall as the baseline point (Station 4). samples then were stored in an insulated icebox prior to T ABLE I laboratory analysis plus to preserve the samples from being Sampling Point Locations infected by the surrounding. Sampling Point Latitude / Longitude In laboratory analysis, the physical and chemical water quality Station 1 04º39.819’ N , 118º13.006’ E analyses were carried out according to the APHA procedures [6]. The water quality parameters studied were phosphate, Station 2 04º39.993’ N, 118º13.380’ E ammonia-nitrogen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, temperature, dissolved Station 3 04º39.824’ N, 118º13.408’ E oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity and total suspended solid Station 4 04º43.742’ N, 118º10.006’ E (TSS). Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA), Correlation and

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Regression were conducted at p<0.05 to determine the phosphate, ammonia-nitrogen, biological oxygen demand significant differences between sampling locations. (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity and total suspended III. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS solid (TSS). Four sampling points were selected within In most of the sampling locations, clear water flow over series Langgas River which associated with integrated farming of shallow gravel riffles and shaded by oil palm trees. Table II activity which consist of upstream, downstream, middle and showed In-situ measurement of the sampling points; A total of Madai Waterfall (baseline station). Mean concentrations of ten water quality parameters were studied which consisted of water quality are summarized in Table III;

T ABLE II Sampling Point Characteristic Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Depth (m) 0.11 0.10 0.10 0.76 Width (m) 1.28 0.91 0.17 3.77 Flow Rate (m/s) 0.19 0.29 0.24 NA Geological Stony and Stony and Small pebbles Surrounded by Condition gravel gravel bullocks of streambed streambed volcanic rocks inter bedded with small pebbles Biological - A few insects Existence of Existences of Indicator larvae aquatic living and variations of butterfly and dragonfly

T ABLE III Mean Water Quality Concentrations Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Parameters Min Max Mea Min Max Mea Min Max Mea Mean n n n Phosphate 0.36 0.67 0.55 0.45 0.88 0.67 0.34 0.81 0.64 0.85 (mg/L) Ammonia- 0 0.02 0.01 0 0 0 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.06 nitrogen (mg/L) BOD 0.52 0.58 0.56 0.53 0.88 0.69 0.38 0.77 0.57 0.65 (mg/L) COD 1.50 2.00 0.67 1.70 8.00 4.33 1.10 8.00 3.33 2.10 (mg/L) Turbidity 1.95 3.83 2.82 1.42 1.56 1.50 19.0 23.3 20.8 20.3 (NTU) Temperature 25.9 29.4 28.0 26.2 28.3 27.5 25.9 28.5 27.2 28.62 (ºC) DO 5.75 6.16 6.02 5.31 6.33 5.86 4.00 4.23 4.11 7.05 (mg/L) pH 8.09 8.10 8.10 8.39 8.47 8.44 7.67 7.74 7.71 8.21

Conductivity 0.56 0.59 0.58 0.53 0.55 0.54 0.60 0.60 0.63 0.31 (mS/cm) TSS 3.5 4.9 4.3 3.2 4.2 3.57 16.3 19.9 17.8 17.4 (mg/L)

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T ABLE IV Malaysia’s economy. With the latest technologies and Malaysian Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS) equipment available, more methods and techniques have been Class Uses implemented to enhance the development of the sector. The l Conservation of natural environment introduction of integrated farming aims to enhance Water supply l - practically no treatment necessary productivity and increase income. However, concern has been (except by disinfection of boiling only) increasing in recent years on the potential effects of this new Fishery l - very sensitive aquatic species agricultural approach. The activities involve have far-reaching ll A Water supply ll - conventional treatment required impacts upon the hydrological cycle due to high usage of Fishery ll - sensitive aquatic species pesticides and fertilizers. Langgas River which is located within ll B Recreational use with body contact the integrated farming area showed an insignificant value of lll Water supply lll - extensive treatment required water pollution. Langgas River is also identified to be free from Fishery lll - common, of economic value and tolerant organic contamination. The mean concentration of the river is species found to be lower then the numerical threshold limit, which is lV Irrigation 2mg/L. A weak management of integrated farming may cause V None of the above environmental as well as health implications. An Phosphorous and ammonia-nitrogen showed a high value due implementation of ‘Good Agriculture Practice’ can secure the to heavy usage of fertilizer. In addition to high phosphorus water quality of nearby rivers subsequently prevent further value in the water body, pH values were most alkaline in the deterioration to the surrounding environment. sampling area because of the weathering of volcanic rocks that surrounded. REFERENCES [1] Jamaluddin, M. J. (2000) Environmental Issues And Rain on the other hand; accelerate the pollution acting as a Management Challenges In Malaysia: Facing mobile tool that brings chemical inputs to river and stream The New Millennium, Environmental Management 2000. flowing through a region of relatively insoluble rocks can be Proceedings National Seminar on Environmental chemically similar to rain in its composition. Literally, al of the Management, Issues And Challenges In Malaysia. [2] Markantonatos, P.G., Bacalis, N. C., Angelidis, M. O. constituents of river water originates from dissolution of the (1995) Pollution Control In The Catchments Basin Of The earth’s rocks. The dissolving of rocks is commonly the major River Evrotas, Greece. Water Science and Technology 32 (9- determinant of river water chemistry but varies with geology 10): 247–255. and with magnitude of inputs via other pathways including [3] Fytianos, K., Siumka, A., Zachariadis, G.A., Beltsios, S. rain water, volcanic activities and pollution. (2000) Assessment of the Quality Characteristics of Pinios With regards to Malaysian Interim Water Quality Standard River, Greece. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 136 (1-4): 317- (INWQS), the physical and chemical water qualities classify 329. [4] Jang, C.C., Hong, B.C., Sang, J.K. (2001). Heavy Langgas between falls under Class II, which indicates that Contamination of Subsurface Aquifer and a Stream by Langgas River still has good water quality (Table IV and Table Livestock of Water in a Stock Farming Area. Journal of V). Environmental Pollution. 109(2000): 137-140 TABLE V [5] Anon. (2001). Water Effluent From Pig Farms In Sabah-A Water Quality Index of Langgas River (DOE-WQI) Preliminary Investigation Of The Key Environmental Issue Station Water Quality Index Based On Parameters Overall (Unpublished). State Environmental Conservation Class Department, Sabah. DO BOD COD AN TSS pH [6] APHA. (1992). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 18th edition. American Public Health 1 II I I I I I II Association (APHA). 2 II I I I I I II [7] Turk, A., Turk, J., Wittes J.T. (1972). Ecology, Pollution, Environment. American Journal of Physics 40(10): 1560- 3 III I I I I I II 1560 Chem. 97.494-499

4 II I I I I I I Meanwhile, from the statistical analysis, only five parameters showed significance differences (p<0.05) which are dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, suspended solids, turbidity and ammonia-nitrogen. Meanwhile, phosphate, BOD and COD showed no significant differences. From the statistical analysis, turbidity and total suspended solids have a high correlation between each other. CONCLUSIONS The increase of export volume and better prices for agricultural industrial commodities result in tremendous growth towards 1943091-IJET-IJENS © October 2009 IJENS I J E N S