Geological and major ion analytical studies of groundwater in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

Geochemical signatures of groundwater in a part of Pasir Mas district, Kelantan, Malaysia were used to identify the major ions that control hydrogeology in terms of its quality. This research is focusing on updating the alluvium map and also to analyze the major ion concentration of groundwater in order to monitor the suitability of drinking water standards in the study area and for the agricultural purposes. There are fifteen samples from groundwater wells and one river water sample that was collected from the study area. The physical parameters, such as electrical conductivity, potential hydrogen (pH), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity and also major ion concentration such as Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Chloride (Cl-), Bicarbonate (HCO3-), and Sulphate (SO42-) of groundwater were taken into consideration. The method that was being used to record the physical parameters is by using YSI Multiparameter, turbidimeter and TSS portable while the chemical parameters were identified by using several methods such as gravimetric method, alkalinity titration, colorimetric method and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations of these cations and anions in the groundwater were varied spatially and temporally. The recorded data was represented through Piper trilinear diagram which concludes that the groundwater is classified as Ca-HCO3- which is typically the shallow and fresh groundwater. Therefore, there are 3 out of 16 samples were exceeding the standards set by WHO and MOH in terms of the pH value but iron (Fe2+) content was exceeding the standard in all samples. Other than that, geological mapping in the form of alluvial mapping has been done with an explanation through soil analysis. Five soil samples from the alluvium in depth interval of 0 to 50 cm were being collected for analysis. The results from the soil analysis conducted conclude that the study area is comprised with interbedded clay, silt and sand which aged at Quaternary.