Mohammad Syahril Asyraf Mohd Rozi, Nurhaziq Hadwan Norhan, Omar Ariffin, Nor Atikah Husna Ahmad Nasir, Khairul Naim Abd. Aziz, Muhammad Akmal Roslani and Sharir Aizat Kamaruddin
Keywords: Sungai Kilim, Water Quality, Spatial Interpolation, Surface Water, Langkawi
Abstract: Water pollution that occurs in Pulau Langkawi, Kedah has become a serious issue as the island is a popular destination for tourism and also due to its rapid development. Therefore, adequate information is required in order to monitor the water pollution cases. Ironically, the water quality monitoring activities have been limited due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) issued by the government of Malaysia since March 2020. One of the important water bodies presence in Pulau Langkawi is Sungai Kilim. However, information of the surface water quality of Sungai Kilim, Langkawi, Kedah seems to be scarce. As a result, Kilim Aqua Maps have been developed for the monitoring purposes of this area. Kilim Aqua Maps are being designed using the integration of water quality data and spatial interpolation technique. The water quality data included are the reading of surface water dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity and temperature. Meanwhile for the spatial interpolation technique, spline interpolation technique which involves regularized and tension spline method has been successfully developed. The developed maps have been validated to have high accuracy and yield low error. Kilim Aqua Maps will be beneficial to the local communities of Pulau Langkawi especially to the people in Kilim and to the concerned government bodies such as Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Department of Environment (DOE Malaysia) and Department of Fisheries (DOF Malaysia) for monitoring this area effectively. Plus, this invention is found to be useful as it supports Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14: Life below water) which is to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
