DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v28i1.124

Keywords: Fish farming, water quality analysis, Northeast monsoon, heavy metals, case study, data analysis

Abstract

Aquaculture in Malaysia is widely practiced to increase production and meet market demand, but its sustainability depends heavily on water quality, which influences fish health and growth. This study evaluated the water quality of a river system used for caged aquaculture, focusing on compliance with Malaysia’s Department of Environment (DOE) Class III standards for tolerant, economically valuable species. Water samples were collected from three stations over three consecutive months (December, January and February). Key physicochemical parameters measured included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). Heavy metals, including aluminium and iron, were also quantified. Pearson correlation and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) test were used to assess parameter relationships and sampling adequacy. Results showed that temperature and pH fell within Class III limits, while DO was frequently below the recommended 3–5 ppm range, indicating potential oxygen stress. In December, BOD and aluminium exceeded DOE limits, with aluminium reaching 26.05 ppm. Strong correlations were observed between temperature and total dissolved solids and between temperature and salinity. The overall KMO value of 0.590 indicated acceptable sampling adequacy. Overall, the river is suitable for aquaculture, but periodic low DO and elevated aluminium suggest continuous monitoring and management.