applied sciences Article Between Natural and Anthropogenic Coastal Landforms: Insights from Ground Penetrating Radar and Sediment Analysis Yuniarti Ulfa 1,2, Teoh Ying Jia 3,* , Ahmad Munim Che Yaziz 3, Dasapta E. Irawan 1 and Deny J. Puradimaja 1 1 Faculty of Earth Sciences and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Bandung 40132, Indonesia;
[email protected] (Y.U.); r-win@office.itb.ac.id (D.E.I.);
[email protected] (D.J.P.) 2 Polytechnic of Geology and Mining AGP, Bandung 40293, Indonesia 3 School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang 11800 USM, Malaysia;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: Both natural and anthropogenic coastal landforms characterize Penang Island. As years have passed it is a challenge to differentiate the genuineness of landmasses created by natural geological formations or by coastal reclamation projects. An account is given of the environmental impact of solid wastes used for reclaiming land in coastal areas of Penang and of the impact of a major sewage outfall in the western channel. Leaching of heavy metals was shown to be one of the main sources of contamination from solid wastes. This paper presents eight lines of ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys and sediment analysis to identify the anthropogenic interventions that shaped the urban landscape of Penang Island by excavations, filling, and embankment construction along the coastline and differentiate it from the natural one. The surveys were implemented in two locations, the Batu Ferringhi area, representing the natural coastline, and Persiaran Bayan Indah (the Queensbay Citation: Ulfa, Y.; Jia, T.Y.; Che Yaziz, Mall area), representing the anthropogenic coastal landform.