Geology and heavy metal concentration in groundwater of Kampung Ipoh, Tanah Merah, Kelantan

The main objective of present research is to produce the geological map on the 1:25,000 scale and identify heavy metal concentration in groundwater. The study area is located at Kampung Ipoh in district Tanah Merah, Kelantan, Malaysia. It is situated at the west part of Tanah Merah district which cover an area of 25 kilometer square and it lies between latitude 05°51'13.28"N to 05°48'30.98"N and longitude 102° 3'45.50"E to 102° 0'54.75"E. The methodology used were mainly based on fieldwork inputs where the fresh rock sample have been collected. Also, the drainage pattern, lithology data, structural trends of rock and the geomorphological features of the studied area also had been observed. All of the data obtained were transferred into (GIS) software before the geological and other thematic maps produced. Meanwhile, there are about twelve water sample was collected from different well in Kampung Ipoh during sampling. The in-situ parameters which have been analysed in this research was pH, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids and dissolved oxygen. It has been observed by using a multiparameter instrument. Also, six heavy metal was identified (Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ch and Pb) in groundwater by using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method. Based on results after field observation and petrography analysis, schist and quartzite lithology were identified. Schist was found dominant lithology that can be found mostly at the eastern part of study area. The granitic body in the study area could be known as Kemahang Granite. Taku schist is a unit that contact with Kemahang Granite along Kampung Ipoh-Ayer Lanas road. In terms of geomorphology, the study area was classified as plain to low hill area with elevation ranges from less than 100 to 200 metres above sea level. For the heavy metal concentration in Kampung Ipoh, Tanah Merah, Kelantan, its value was compared with the guideline that has been given by WHO and MOH for drinking quality of groundwater. From the result, the parameters values of wells in Kampung Ipoh show a reading that is within the range allowed by WHO and MOH. The problem only occur for pH and turbidity parameters. Most of the groundwater in the study area has pH value less than 6.5 which are below the standard value of WHO and MOH. It is very not recommended to drink the water which pH below 6.5 since it is an acidic water. Others, the well with highest turbidity at the study area are NW 9, NW 4, and NW 12 with reading exceeding 5 NTU. Although there is a high demand for groundwater due to population growth, the groundwater in study area must be monitored regularly especially for the groundwater that has a high turbidity and pH.