Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Natural sources of iron and manganese in groundwater of the lower Kelantan River Basin, North-eastern coast of Peninsula Malaysia: water quality assessment and an adsorption-based method for remediation

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Shallow groundwater resources in the lower Kelantan River Basin show anomalously high concentrations of iron and manganese. In some cases, other transition metals and metalloids such as arsenic are also present at elevated levels. Coupled mineral stability and aqueous geochemical models were used to determine the possible sources of iron and manganese in the groundwater. High concentrations of dissolved iron and manganese are related to Na-Cl groundwater types. Geochemical modeling of Fe2+/Fe3+ and S2−/SO42− redox pairs showed that there is a state of redox disequilibrium in the groundwater. Redox conditions control mineral precipitation and dissolution of iron oxy-hydroxides, acid volatile sulphides and subordinate influence from pH fluctuations governs the stability of iron bearing carbonates. Speciation modelling results show the presences of ferric iron complexes and aqueous sulphides, despite supersaturation with respect to hematite, goethite and pyrite. Dissolved manganese in the groundwater possibly originated from the dissolution of amorphous oxide-hydroxides and siderite, having substituted for iron as a minor impurity. The shallow sediments of the Kelantan Basin host high concentrations of iron and manganese bearing minerals that are subject to reductive dissolution during recharge events. Additionally, meteoric recharge is characteristically acidic, destabilizing iron-bearing carbonates phases such as siderite and ankerite. Naturally occurring metal contamination in potable groundwater supplies requires an economical method of remediation to avoid environmental and human health risks. Synthesized magnetic nano-particles created by a one-step method shows effective removal capacity of high iron and manganese concentrations in the groundwater samples at room temperature. The result of this work show that the primary sources of transition metals contamination in potable groundwater is a consequence of natural processes. It is proposed that the nano particulate adsorption method that has recently been developed will provide for an economical method of purification treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambashta RD, Sillanpää M (2010) Water purification using magnetic assistance: a review. J Hazard Mater 180(1–3):38–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ang N, Mohamad I (1996) Groundwater monitoring report Peninsular Malaysia 1995 (Kelantan). Geol Surv Malays Rep GPH 4:96

    Google Scholar 

  • APHA (1998) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public health Association-American Water works Association, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Avigliano E, Schenone NF (2015) Human health risk assessment and environmental distribution of trace elements, glyphosate, fecal coliform and total coliform in Atlantic Rainforest mountain rivers (South America). Microchem J 122:149–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bachik A (1989) Groundwater monitoring system in the eastern Sungai Kelantan Delta, Kelantan. Geol Surv Malays Rep GPH 5:1989

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard MF, Sauvé S, Barbeau B, Legrand M, Brodeur M-È, Bouffard T, Mergler D (2011) Intellectual impairment in school-age children exposed to manganese from drinking water. Environ Health Perspect 119(1):138–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casey T (2009) Iron and manganese in water. Aquavarra Research R&D Publications Paper 3

    Google Scholar 

  • Chamley H (1997) Clay mineral sedimentation in the ocean. Soils and sediments. Springer, pp 269–302

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cleasby JL (1975) Iron and manganese removal—a case study. J Am Water Works Ass 67(3):147–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis C, Coleman M (1986) Controls on the precipitation of early diagenetic calcite, dolomite and siderite concretions in complex depositional sequences. SEPM

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Eylem C, Erten HN, Göktürk H (1989) Sorption of barium on kaolinite, montmorillonite and chlorite. Analyst 114(3):351–353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French BM (1971) Stability relations of siderite (FeCO3) in the system Fe–CO. Am J Sci 271(1):37–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganyaglo SY, Banoeng-Yakubo B, Osae S, Dampare SB, Fianko JR, Bhuiyan MA (2010) Hydrochemical and isotopic characterisation of groundwaters in the eastern region of Ghana. J Water Resour Prot 2:199–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo F-Y, Liu Y-G, Wang H, Zeng G-M, Hu X-J, Zheng B-H, Zhang M-M (2015) Adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution onto magnetic graphene oxide functionalized with 1, 2-diaminocyclohexanetetraacetic acid. RSC Adv 5(56):45384–45392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hodgkinson J, Cox ME, Mcloughlin S (2008) Coupling mineral analysis with conceptual groundwater flow modelling: The source and fate of iron, aluminium and manganese in a back-barrier island. Chem Geol 251(1–4):77–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holtzapffel T (1985) Les minéraux argileux. Préparation. Analyse diffractométrique et détermination. Publication-Société géologique du Nord (12)

  • Homoncik SC, MacDonald AM, Heal KV, Dochartaigh BÉÓ, Ngwenya BT (2010) Manganese concentrations in Scottish groundwater. Sci Total Environ 408(12):2467–2473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan FSA, Mubarak NM, Khalid M, Walvekar R, Abdullah EC, Mazari SA, Karri RR (2020) Magnetic nanoadsorbents’ potential route for heavy metals removal—a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27(19):24342–24356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khashogji MS, El Maghraby MM (2013) Evaluation of groundwater resources for drinking and agricultural purposes, Abar Al Mashi area, south Al Madinah Al Munawarah City Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci 6(10):3929–3942

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khozyem H, Hamdan A, Tantawy AA, Emam A, Elbadry E (2019) Distribution and origin of iron and manganese in groundwater: case study, Balat-Teneida area, El-Dakhla Basin Egypt. Arab J Geosci 12(16):523

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirk MF, Holm TR, Park J, Jin Q, Sanford RA, Fouke BW, Bethke CM (2004) Bacterial sulfate reduction limits natural arsenic contamination in groundwater. Geology 32(11):953–956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee RW, Bennett PC (1998) Reductive dissolution and reactive solute transport in a sewage-contaminated glacial outwash aquifer. Ground Water 36(4):583

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lim D, Jung H, Yang S, Yoo H (2004) Sequential growth of early diagenetic freshwater siderites in the Holocene coastal deposits Korea. Sediment Geol 169(1–2):107–120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Wang H, Hantoro WS, Sathiamurthy E, Colin C, Zhao Y, Li J (2012) Climatic and tectonic controls on chemical weathering in tropical Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra). Chem Geol 291:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Zhao Y, Colin C, Stattegger K, Wiesner MG, Huh C-A, You C-F (2016) Source-to-sink transport processes of fluvial sediments in the South China Sea. Earth Sci Rev 153:238–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macdonald S (1967) The geology and mineral resources of North Kelantan and North Trengganu. Geological Survey Headquarters

    Google Scholar 

  • Marsidi N, Hasan HA, Abdullah SRS (2018) A review of biological aerated filters for iron and manganese ions removal in water treatment. J Water Process Eng 23:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon PB, Belitz K, Reddy JE, Johnson TD (2018) Elevated manganese concentrations in United States groundwater, role of land surface–soil–aquifer connections. Environ Sci Technol 53(1):29–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MGD (2014) Geological map of Peninsular Malaysia, 9th edn. Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Nag S (2009) Quality of groundwater in parts of ARSA block, Purulia District West Bengal. Bhu-Jal 4(1):58–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Noor I (1979) Prefeasibility study of potential ground water development in Kelantan. Birmingham University, Malaysia

    Google Scholar 

  • Okada H, Mitsuhashi K, Ohara T, Whitby ER, Wada H (2005) Computational fluid dynamics simulation of high gradient magnetic separation. Sep Sci Technol 40(7):1567–1584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahim B-EE, Yusoff I, Samsudin A, Yaacob W, Rafek A (2010) Deterioration of groundwater quality in the vicinity of an active open-tipping site in West Malaysia. Hydrogeol J 18(4):997–1006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MA, Alam MJ, Alam AS (2013) Distribution of arsenic with iron, manganese and copper in borehole sediments of the River Tista and Jamuna. Dhaka Univ J Sci 61(2):207–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saghravani SR, Yusoff I, Tahir WZWM, Othman Z (2015) Comparison of water table fluctuation and chloride mass balance methods for recharge estimation in a tropical rainforest climate: a case study from Kelantan River catchment, Malaysia. Environ Earth Sci 73(8):4419–4428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saha S, Reza AS, Roy MK (2019) Hydrochemical evaluation of groundwater quality of the Tista floodplain, Rangpur Bangladesh. Appl Water Sci 9(8):198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santé OMDL, WW Programme, ŚO Zdrowia, WH Organization, WHO Staff (2004) Guidelines for drinking-water quality, vol 1. World Health Organization

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarıkaya M, Abbasov T, Erdemoğlu M (2006) Some aspects of magnetic filtration theory for removal of fine particles from aqueous suspensions. J Dispers Sci Technol 27(2):193–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer CN, McCarty PL (1967) Chemistry for sanitary engineers

  • Schwertmann U, Taylor RM (1989) Iron oxides. Miner Soil Environ 1:379–438

    Google Scholar 

  • Sefie A, Aris AZ, Ramli MF, Narany TS, Shamsuddin MKN, Saadudin SB, Zali MA (2018) Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality assessment of the multilayered aquifer in Lower Kelantan Basin, Kelantan Malaysia. Environ Earth Sci 77(10):397

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sofner B (1992) Groundwater monitoring and groundwater protection at the Geological Survey Department (GSD) of Malaysia, Technical Cooperation Project No. 88.2225. 6. Geological Survey Department of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

  • Tayyebi A, Outokesh M, Moradi S, Doram A (2015) Synthesis and characterization of ultrasound assisted “graphene oxide–magnetite” hybrid, and investigation of its adsorption properties for Sr (II) and Co (II) ions. Appl Surf Sci 353:350–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomé A, Reddy KR, Reginatto C, Cecchin I (2015) Review of nanotechnology for soil and groundwater remediation: Brazilian perspectives. Water Air Soil Pollut 226(4):1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usman UA, Yusoff I, Raoov M, Hodgkinson J (2019) The economic potential of the African iron–ore tailings: synthesis of magnetite for the removal of trace metals in groundwater—a review. Environ Earth Sci 78(21):1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usman UA, Yusoff I, Raoov M, Hodgkinson J (2020) Trace metals geochemistry for health assessment coupled with adsorption remediation method for the groundwater of Lorong Serai 4, Hulu Langat, west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Environ Geochem Health 42:1–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vedavyasan CV (2001) Pontential use of magnetic fields—a perspective. Desalination 134(1–3):105–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang H, Liu Z, Sathiamurthy E, Colin C, Li J, Zhao Y (2011) Chemical weathering in Malay Peninsula and North Borneo: clay mineralogy and element geochemistry of river surface sediments. Sci China Earth Sci 54(2):272–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2004) Guidelines for drinking water quality, vol 1. World Health Organization, Geneva

  • Xing L, Guo H, Zhan Y (2013) Groundwater hydrochemical characteristics and processes along flow paths in the North China Plain. J Asian Earth Sci 70:250–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yano JI (1979) Application of high gradient magnetic separation for water treatment in steel industry. In: Yano J, Eguchi I, Kiu YA (eds) Industrial applications of magnetic separation. Daido Steel Co., Ltd., Nagoya, pp 134–136

  • Zhang H (2016) Magnetic separation nanotechnology for wastewater treatment and used nuclear fuel recycle. University of Idaho

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our appreciation to the management of the Department of mineral geosciences, Kelantan state, Malaysia, for providing field guide personnel and logistics during the fieldwork and groundwater sampling.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Usman Abdullahi Usman, Ismail Yusoff & Nur Hayati Hussin

  2. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

    Usman Abdullahi Usman

  3. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Muggundha Raoov & Yatimah Alias

  4. Spring, TX, USA

    Jonathan Hodgkinson

  5. Jabatan Mineral Dan Geosains Malaysia, 15658, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

    Nurzaidi Abdullah

  6. School of Natural Resource Science, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia

    Jonathan Hodgkinson

Authors
  1. Usman Abdullahi Usman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ismail Yusoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Muggundha Raoov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yatimah Alias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jonathan Hodgkinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Nurzaidi Abdullah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Nur Hayati Hussin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Usman Abdullahi Usman or Ismail Yusoff.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors confirmed no disagreement of interest concerning this research.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Usman, U.A., Yusoff, I., Raoov, M. et al. Natural sources of iron and manganese in groundwater of the lower Kelantan River Basin, North-eastern coast of Peninsula Malaysia: water quality assessment and an adsorption-based method for remediation. Environ Earth Sci 80, 425 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09717-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09717-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation