Author(s): Athaya Jauhari; Md Mobassarul Hasan; Matthijs Bos

Linked Author(s): Matthijs Bos, Athaya Jauhari

Keywords: Wflow hydrology sediment water quality Johor Strait

Abstract: The Johor Strait, separating Singapore from Johor, Malaysia, serves as a vital economic corridor and supports diverse ecosystems, including mangroves and coral reefs, which are crucial for regional biodiversity and local fisheries. However, river discharge introduces pollutants, sediments, and nutrients, degrading water quality and altering salinity levels. This study aims to estimate river discharge, sediment load, and key water quality parameters -- particularly total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) -- to assess their impact on the strait’s ecosystem health using open-source data. The wflow model developed by Deltares was employed, incorporating four key modules: Hydrology, Sediment Transport, Emission, and Water Quality. The model domain encompassed all rivers draining into the Johor Strait. Each model was calibrated and validated using publicly available data, including river discharge, sediment load, soil delivery, sediment trapping, TN, and TP. The model was simulated over a 10-year period, calculating daily sediment and water quality loads for each river. Results indicated that rivers flowing through densely populated areas contributed the highest pollutant loads. These findings offer valuable insights for managing sediment and nutrient loads in the Johor Strait and can inform strategies for mitigating environmental impacts on this critical waterway.

DOI:

Year: 2025