ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS FROM MARITIME OPERATIONS AT LUMUT WATER

Abstract

Water quality characterized as a measure of the physical, synthetic, organic, and microbiological characteristics of water. Water quality monitoring and measurement gives an experiential proof to support decision making on issues related with health and environmental impact. Maritime operations are one of the factors that contributed to the environmental impact, which had turned into an important issue to be discussed nowadays. The interactions of Lumut water (Dinding River) with several maritime operations nearby can leads to marine pollution and bring negative external effect to the natural habitation. Based on the preliminary observations, oil spillage and garbage were discovered at surface water of Dinding River. The colour of the water also was muddy indicated the water has been polluted. Water samples from 5 fixed stations along the river were collected regularly and analyzed to determine the status of water quality based on the chosen water parameters - Conductivity, Total Suspended Solids, pH, Total Dissolved Solids and Dissolved Oxygen. Pollution Index is used as a tool to determine the status of water quality at the research area. The results show that the water at Dinding River is moderately polluted.