Distribution of tar balls on the beach of Kuala Terengganu

Abstract

Coastal oil pollution is measured in the form of tar ball distribution. Terengganu, being a coastal state and directly exposed to the South China Sea, is affected by tar ball deposition each year. Five sampling trips were conducted from the months of September 2006 to January 2007. The sampling trips were aimed to collect tar ball samples to measure their quantitative and qualitative properties. The tar balls were also measured for their size distribution. This study is as a continuous assessment from previous studies conducted by the University Malaysia Terengganu (formerly KUSTEM). From the study, Station I was the most polluted whereas Station 3 exhibited no pollution and Station 2 was only polluted during certain periods. The measure of pollution was determined by the UNEP Standard Method. Tar ball deposition ranged from 21.90 g.m· 1 in Station I to no tar balls at Station 3. Chemical analyses have also been done onto the samples to determine the composition and the concentration within the tar ball. Various weathering processes have occurred towards to tar ball before eventually being deposited onto the beach. From this study, the beach of Kuala Terengganu exhibited moderate tar ball pollution.