Status of Contamination and Distribution of Effluents in Tasik Chini, Pahang, Malaysia

The study investigates the spatial variation and index of water quality in Tasik Chini (Chini Lake), Pahang, Malaysia.  Water samples were taken from 12 representative sites within the lake and two major feeder rivers. Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using standard procedures. Observed data were calculated according to Department of Environment Water Quality Index (DOE-WQI) and classified to compare with National Water Quality Standard, Malaysia (NWQS). TSS, TDS and nitrate were categorized under class I. Water temperature, DO, BOD and turbidity were categorized under class II. Among others,  pH, ammonical nitrogen (AN) and COD was under class III. Study revealed that station T2 was worse in condiion followed by stations T1 and L7. Heavy metals estimated by ICPMS indicated  that Fe and Mn concentration were high in the mining zone station T2, whereas sites L4 and L8 had the highest concentration of  Ba and Pb. The lake water quality was classified as class II based on WQI Malaysia. That is quite suitable for body contact and recreational purpose. In general, water quality varied over space of the catchment and most affected indicators were AN, COD and pH.