Taman Beringin Landfill - Post Closure (Revisited)

Taman Beringin Landfill was once regarded as the biggest landfill site operated 24 hours a day in Kuala Lumpur. It was now safely closed and the post management closure of this landfill is managed by Dewan Bandara Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).  Another site visit to this landfill was conducted on August 20, 2014.  The visit was carried out to supervise my PhD student from Nigeria Mr Mustapha Atta and my new BSc student. In this write up, I would like to share some photos that were captured during the site visit.

Fresh limestone outcrop discovered in Sungai Jinjang just to the north of the landfill site.

 My PhD student, Mustapha Atta is measuring the groundwater level at BH6 using a dip-meter.

Water Quality Multi-parameter built-in with GPS (Brand Aquameter) was used in this visit.  This meter is capable to read 10 water quality parameters simultaneously.  The data measured can be easily stored in the device with a click of a button.  

New activity on site.  This concrete wall (width = 1.2m; depth = unknown) was constructed in between the former landfill and Sg Jinjang (on the right).  This wall could have been constructed to function as impermeable barrier to stop the ingress of contaminated groundwater to the Sg Jinjang.  

Large vertical drain (Well) was constructed on site to collect the groundwater.  It has screen at the bottom and made of steel.  In this picture, Mr Atta is measuring the top of the well from ground level

Groundwater Study in Sandakan, Sabah

Sandakan is the second largest town in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu.  It is located on the north-east coast of Borneo in Malaysia.  Very recently, a visit to Sandakan was conducted to investigate its groundwater quality. Groundwater is regarded as the most important water resource in Sandakan and managed by Jabatan Air Sandakan.  Generally, the groundwater resource in Sandakan is tapped from two deep seated aquifers, located at 150 m and 250 m in a sedimentary rock formation.  The groundwater is good, very clean, fresh and safely located far below from the influence of human activities.  Most of the wells in Sandakan are classified as confined aquifer.  It means that the piezometric surface of the groundwater is located above the ground and the water can be seen flows to the ground without pumping.

Discussion on site with Mr Siva from TIMATCH Resources Sdn Bhd

Group photo before a visit to the groundwater pumping station

A sandstone ridge provides a beautiful landscape view to Sandakan Town

This is a marking for borehole location where the groundwater is pumped out for human use

Large diameter production well equipped with submersible pump that can pump large quantity of groundwater

The measuring of pH and chloride was conducted immediately after sampling

Sandakan is famous for its sea food.  Bon appetit !!

Acid Mine Drainage in Bukit Besi, Dungun, Terengganu

Acid Mine Drainage or popularly known as AMD is a common problem related to primary mining of metals.  Recent investigation conducted at Bukit Besi ex Mine site has discovered this AMD phenomena.  AMD is a natural weathering process where the sulphide metals such as pyrite (FeS2), chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) or arsenopyrite (FeAsS) are exposed to air and water resulting chemical reactions such as hydrolysis and oxidation to sulphide minerals.  These chemical reactions will produce a nasty acid called sulphuric acid (H2SO4) that can reduce the pH of the water.  

Photos below show common views of AMD problem such as yellow precipitate material (also known as Yellow Boy) and acid water.  The water quality meter shows the pH of the water is 3.18.