Hydrochemical analysis and evaluation of heavy metals in groundwater: A case study

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering,Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), 86400 Parit Raja, Johor, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: nazahiya@uthm.edu.my

Abstract

The hydrochemical characteristics and the type of groundwater were identified in order to investigate the elements of major ions of groundwater samples in hydro-meteorology station located in Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia, UTHM. The objectives of the study were to measure the concentration of major ions and evaluate their chemical compositions . The measured ions were namely sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (HCO₃), sulfate (SO₄), heavy metals substance such as zinc (zn), ferum (Fe), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn). Eight (8) groundwater samples were collected between January 2018 and March 2018 from a tubewell located at the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Johor followed by laboratory analyses by using Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The concentrations of major cations and anions were determined and the concecutive strength were Na>Mg>K>Ca and Cl>HCO₃>SO, respectively. Correlations among various pollutants were also observed. Strong correlations (p<0.01) were found between Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and Electric Conductivity (EC). Both TDS and EC also showed strong positive correlations with Na, Mg, and Cl ions. The dispersal of major ions in groundwater was determined using piper diagram. The major cation and anion found were Na and Cl, respectively. The type of water that predominates in the study area was Na–Cl which indicated the groundwater influence from seawater intrusion. Mean concentrations for heavy metals parameters were also identified. The values milligram per litre (mg/L) were Mn (0.20), Cu (0.01), Fe (0.50) and Zn (0.04), respectively. Overall, the selected heavy metal parameters which were Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn met the Recommended Raw Water Standard by Ministry of Health, Malaysia.