DCC50212 - HYDROLOGY

CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CASE STUDY

LECTURER’S NAME : MISS AGHILESVARI A/P VIJAKUMARAN

CLASS : DKA5D

GROUP MEMBER MATRIC NO

NUR ADRIANA NADIRAH BINTI 16DKA19F1121

RIDUWAN
GOVINAPRIYA A/P RAJASEKAR 16DKA19F1149
HAFZAN SOFHIA BINTI MOHAMED 16DKA19F1006
ADZHAR
MOHAMAD ZAMIR BIN ZA’ABAR 16DKA19F1141
NUR ATHIRAH BINTI ISMAIL 16DKA19F1087

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO TITTLE PAGE NUMBER

1 INTRODUCTION 3

2 TASK 1 4-9

3 TASK 2 10 - 21
TABLE 1 - TABLE 5

4 TASK 3
TREND RAINFALL 22 - 27
DATA TABLE 1 - DATA TABLE 5

5 TASK 4 28 - 29
REFERENCES

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 INTRODUCTION

The hydrological cycle often called the water cycle, is one of the key
components of the planetary system that regulates human, animal and plant life. These
cycles also form the basis of other cycles, such as the carbon cycle and the nitrogen
cycle. Therefore, the stability of the water cycle is important for the sustainability of
biological populations and ecosystems. Empirical observations refer that the stability
of the hydrological cycle is being threatened by climate change.

Climate is defined by the average state of weather conditions that occur in a

region over a long period of time. Therefore, we can consider climate change as a
manifestation of abnormal trends or abnormal changes in atmospheric conditions. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) refers to climate change as “a
climate condition that can be statistically identifiable through changes in mean and/or
variability in its nature, and that persists for long periods, usually decades or longer.”
generally, climates are characterized by mean seasons which are assessed through
temperature, precipitation, wind movement, isolation, etc. In general, climates present
a robust picture of the terrestrial system. However, since its formation, the Earth
system has undergone various changes. Evidence of change this can be traced by
considering major geological periods. For example, during the quaternary period, the
Pleistocene period was characterized by recurrent glacial phases (Huybers,
2006) .These glaciation ended during the Holocene period resulting in more stable
climatic conditions.

In this case study, we analyze and identify the rainfall data from 4 different
catchment, Batu Pahat River Basin 1, Batu Pahat River Basin 2, Kesang River Basin
and Sungai Muda River Basin. This case study is significant because we will analyze
the inconsistent adjustment of the rainfall data and determine the correct rainfall value.
By using the corrected rainfall value, we will construct an annual rainfall trend graph
and identify the trend of the rainfall.

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 TASK 1
Identify and Explain clearly the climate change impact to the hydrological cycle and
global warming issues. You must support the data with any fact or knowldege you can
get from any sources/ department/ statistic/ online news from social media.

1. Impact on Groundwater

The impact on groundwater system may be described by referring to its

quality,quantity, and functionality. These three aspects can hardly be dissociated
because of the consistency of their mutual effects. Yet the impact is more a pool of
subconsequences related to low precipitation, persistent drought, and land cover
degradation. In natural systems, groundwater plays a critical role, as it sustains
streamflow. In gaining stream systems, groundwater is particularly the main supplier of
water during periods of no precipitation. Outside the rainy season, the balance between
streamflow and base flow governs the streamflow behavior. An unbalanced situation
often results in low flow regime and impairments. At that point, the sustainability
of aquatic life depends extremely on the ground water flux. However, groundwater
recharge is controlled itself by soil infiltration, land-cover, and precipitation

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amount. Under climate change, the disturbances in the precipitation regime (yearly
precipitation amount concentrated in a few precipitation events), combined with land
cover degradation, significantly alter ground water recharge. Runoff increases and
exceptional discharge peaks are clustered in short periods. In the long
run, water supply becomes problematic for streams, since groundwater is not
recharged adequately. The scenario is more drastic when groundwater is directly
pumped for irrigation, domestic and industrial use. Actually, the use of groundwater
has become an option for compensating for water deficit. However, this
alternative raises important environmental and social concerns. Therefore, it
necessitates more involvement of political leadership and law makers.

2. Impact on Evapotranspiration

Evapotranspiration is a critical component of the water cycle, and its rate depends on
the magnitude of the terrestrial biophysical functionality. The amount of water
involved in this phenomenon is a determinant for the local climate. Indeed the long
term balance between evapotranspiration and precipitation governs the gradient of
aridity and land-cover features (Sohoulande Djebou et al., 2015). Under climate
change, the rise of global temperature affects directly the atmospheric water demand
(potential evapotranspiration). Finally, the actual moisture release in the atmosphere is
higher than normal. The water vapor in the atmosphere results from the pressure
exerted on soil moisture, water bodies, and plant transpiration. However, in the long
term, there are not sufficient clues that the rise of evapotranspiration would be
compensated for by precipitation. We can say that the trend of dryness is remarkable
across the globe.

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Climate warming is causing changes to weather in different regions of the world. In
particular, it is causing more extreme weather events than we have seen in the past.
These extreme weather events can have impacts on human health, limiting access to
clean drinking water, food, and shelter and taxing people’s ability to cope with heat,
drought or flood.

 More rain and flooding: With more evaporation, there is more water in the
air so storms can produce more intense rainfall events in some areas. This can
cause flooding – a risk to the environment and human health.
 More extreme drought: Warmer temperatures cause more evaporation,
turning water into vapor in the air, and causing drought in some areas of the
world. Places prone to drought are expected to become even drier over the
next century. This is bad news for farmers who can expect fewer crops in
these conditions.
 Stronger hurricanes: Warmer ocean surface waters can intensify hurricanes
and tropical storms, leading to more hazardous conditions as these storms
make landfall. Scientists continue to research how climate change affects the
number of these storms, but we know that the storms will be powerful and
destructive in the future.
 Heat waves: It is likely that heat waves have become more common in more
areas of the world.

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Clouds affect the climate and climate affects the clouds.

Currently, the combined effect of all clouds is one of net cooling, meaning that clouds
are dampening the rate of climate warming. But scientists are looking into whether
clouds will have the same effect on climate as the Earth continues to warm. If the
proportion of different cloud types changes, it could affect the rate of climate change
because different types of clouds have different impacts on the Earth's climate. While
some types of clouds help to warm the Earth, others help to cool it (as described
below). This is an area of ongoing research.

Worldwide, sea level is rising because of climate change.

Today, sea level is 10- 20 cm (4-8 in) higher than it was a century ago because of
climate change. Over the 21st Century, sea level is expected to rise 30 cm (12 in) if the
amount of climate change is minimized. Sea level will rise up to one meter (about
three feet) if climate change is not controlled.

There are two ways that our warming climate is causing sea level rise.

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First, water from melting glaciers and ice sheets flows down rivers and is added to the
ocean. Over the past 100 years mountain glaciers, Arctic glaciers, and Greenland’s ice
have decreased dramatically in size. With less ice trapped on land in glaciers and ice
sheets, there is more water in the ocean, and sea level is higher. Melting ice that is
already in the ocean, like sea ice, does not cause sea level rise.

Second, ocean water expands as it warms, increasing its volume, so the water in the
ocean takes up more space and sea level is higher. Since 1955, more than 90% of the
excess heat held in the atmosphere by heat-trapping gases has made its way into the
ocean. If this didn’t happen, climate warming would be much more dramatic. But
because the heat is added to the ocean, and because ocean water expands with heat,
sea level rises, flooding coasts. Also, marine life that are sensitive to changes in
temperature struggle to survive.

Thermal expansion and melting ice each contributed about half of the recent sea level
rise, though there is some uncertainty in the exact magnitude of the contribution from
each source. Thermal expansion of seawater is predicted to account for about 75% of
future sea level rise according to Earth system models.

Ocean water is warming and growing acidic.

Warmer waters in the shallow oceans have contributed to the death of about a quarter
of the world's coral reefs in the last few decades. Many of the coral animals died after
weakened by coral bleaching, a process tied directly to warmed waters. Also, corals
and other marine life find it more difficult to grow their shells and bones as seawater
takes in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and becomes more acidic.

Sea ice is shrinking, causing more warming.

Each year, the amount of sea ice that covers the Arctic Ocean grows in the winter and
then melts at its edges in the summer. But lately, warmer temperatures have caused
more ice to melt in the summer and less ice to grow in winter. The summer thickness

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of sea ice is about half of what it was in 1950. Melting sea ice could cause changes in
ocean circulation as the temperature and density of water changes. It is also speeding
up warming in the Arctic – with less ice, less sunlight is reflected out to space and
more is absorbed by the water and land. Typically, almost all of the sunlight that hits
sea ice is reflected back out to space, but as the ice melts, the ocean underneath is
exposed, which absorbs more sunlight, causing more climate warming.

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 TASK 2

From rainfall Data given (Attachment 1): - Analyze the consistency of the recorded
data using double mass curve with a suitable formula, procedure and any related
software.
TABLE 1 : BATU PAHAT RIVER BASIN 1

NUR ADRIANA NADIRAH BINTI RIDUWAN

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TABLE 2 : BATU PAHAT RIVER BASIN 2

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TABLE 3 : KESANG RIVER BASIN

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TABLE 4 : SUNGAI MUDA RIVER BASIN

MOHAMAD ZAMIR BIN ZA'ABAR

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TABLE 5 : SUNGAI PERLIS RIVER BASIN 1

NUR ATHIRAH BINTI ISMAIL

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 TASK 3

By using the corrected rainfall value, construct an annual rainfall trend graph and
identify the trend of the rainfall.

TABLE 1

NUR ADRIANA NADIRAH BINTI RIDUWAN

BATU PAHAT RIVER BASIN 1 ANNUAL RAINFALL

Climate change damages and destroys crops and food production, causes sickness and
mortality, ruins and loses economic livelihoods, and forces climate refugees to
migrate. One of the most significant effects of climate change is fluctuation in rainfall
patterns, which affects regional water supplies that are rain fed recharged directly or
indirectly. Water supply is accomplished by uilising existing fresh water resources to
suit the diverse demands (Residential, Institutional, Industrial and Agricultural). The
effects of climate change on water resources can be one of the most serious threats to
providing continuous water supply, which is the only stressor that can have a negative
influence on human well-being. Moreover, change, caused by rising emissions of
carbon dioxide from vehicles, factories and power stations, will not only affects the
atmosphere and the sea but also will alter the geology of the Earth.

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 TABLE 2

GOVINAPRIYA A/P RAJASEKAR

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 TABLE 3

HAFZAN SOFHIA BINTI MOHAMED ADZHAR

KESANG RIVER BASIN ANNUAL RAINFALL

Trend analysis rainfall distribution in the Kesang River Basin was carried out using
excel sheets.

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 TABLE 4 : SUNGAI MUDA RIVER BASIN

MOHAMAD ZAMIR BIN ZA'ABAR

Rainfall Trend at Sungai Muda River Basin from 2000-2020

All life on Earth requires water. Many forms of life receive water directly or
indirectly from rainfall or other forms of water precipitation. As rainfall, water is used
by plants after it falls to the Earth.
Based on the diagram above, the trend line clearly shows that as the years
move forward the rainfall trend increases. This is probably due to the effects of global
warming. As quoted from Environmental Protection Agency ‘ Warmer oceans
increase the amount of water that evaporates into the air. When more moisture-laden
air moves over land or converges into a storm system, it can produce more intense
precipitation’ . Since Sungai Muda River Basin is the catchment area for rainfall the
data shows the rainfall trend.

Global warming can also cause the ocean level to rise, since all the rain that
pours will eventually lead to the ocean. Global sea level has risen by about 8 inches
since reliable record keeping began in 1880. It is projected to rise another 1 to 8 feet
by 2100. This is the result of added water from melting land ice and the expansion of
seawater as it warms.
In the next several decades, storm surges and high tides could combine with
sea level rise and land subsidence to further increase flooding in many regions. Sea
level rise will continue past 2100 because the oceans take a very long time to respond
to warmer conditions at the Earth’s surface. Ocean waters will therefore continue to
warm and sea level will continue to rise for many centuries at rates equal to or higher
than those of the current century.

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 Humans also experience a number of risks from too much rainfall. Flooding
risks human life, damages buildings, roads, and bridges and devastates livestock and
crops. The effects of rainfall can even impact forests, especially when combined with
high winds. One development that has influenced the impact of rainfall is the heat
island effect. Large metropolitan areas warm significantly more than non-urban areas
around them, making them heat islands. This also affects precipitation patterns,
because higher temperatures lead to greater cloud cover over cities. This in turn leads
to higher precipitation and much more intense rainfall.

Heavy rainfall effects in urban areas can be catastrophic, endangering lives and
damaging infrastructure. With several large urban centers located close together, such
as on the eastern seaboard of the United States, a significant impact of atmospheric
effects results from these heat archipelagos. It creates a vicious cycle, because in
cities, increased pavement and parking lots give rain little chance to run off, and it
cannot seep into the soil well. Urban planning professionals will need to take this into
consideration, especially with the increasing impact of climate change on our weather
patterns.

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 TABLE 5 : SUNGAI PERLIS RIVER BASIN 1

NUR ATHIRAH BINTI ISMAIL

SUNGAI PERLIS RIVER BASIN 1 ANNUAL RAINFALL

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 TASK 4

In your opinion, explain does the global warming effect to the rainfall pattern by
considering environment and sustainability. Make sure you support your ideas with
facts and figures.

 Climate change

One of the effects of global warming is climate change which also has a huge impact
on the political, economic and social system of a country. Typically, global warming
continuously occurs to produce new weather patterns that remain for a long time and
cause the climate to change as well as the phenomenon of heat waves that once hit
European countries. This phenomenon is likely to continue if no mitigation measures
are implemented to address this issue of climate change. Apart from that, climate
change also affects animals, causing large-scale migration of animals to find suitable
habitats. Climate change can also affect soil fertility and can affect a country's crop
yields. This will affect the country's food supply if no action is taken.

 Open burning

In turn, global warming is causing open burning in some places especially tropical
forests. For example, the incident that occurred in Australia in January 2020, when
there was a natural forest fire that has burned almost the entire forest reserve area
which is the habitat of animals, namely koalas. More than 5000 koalas have died as a
result of the forest fires and these fires also occur beyond human control.

 Drought

Global warming can cause droughts to hit certain areas. Although there are still small
changes in temperature, rainfall and sunlight, this phenomenon still severely affects
agricultural yields, causing fertile lands to become barren and unsuitable for
agricultural activities. Crop trees are also unable to thrive and threaten the world's
food supply. In addition, the drought of water resources on the earth's surface or the
occurrence of drought makes the evaporation process can not be carried out to form
thick clouds to bring down rain. These climate changes result in prolonged droughts
and increase the earth’s surface temperature. As a result, the rainfall rate decreases,
the air becomes drier and the environment becomes warmer.

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 CONCLUSION

Climate change is already beginning to transform life on Earth including Malaysia.

Around the globe, seasons are shifting, temperatures are climbing and sea levels are
rising. Climate change does not happen by default. It is a man-made problem. Every
bit of coal, every litre of oil or gas that humans burn adds to the load of gases in the
atmosphere that engulf the planet like an ever thicker blanket, trapping heat,
smothering people and nature. As green house gases build up, they act like a thick
blanket, overheating the planet, changing our climate, and threatening our health,
economy and natural environment. A disaster caused by climate change could be
defined as a serious disruption to the functioning of a community or a society causes
widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the
ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Around
the world, 3 billion people who live in poverty around the world will be hardest hit by
climate change. The poor are more dependent on natural resources and have less of an
ability to adapt to a changing climate. Diseases, declining crop yields and natural
disasters are just a few of the impacts of climate change that could devastate the
world’s most vulnerable communities. Climate change is appropriately considered a
more difficult problem to solve. For that reason, Malaysia adopts ‘precautionary
principles’ to mitigate and adapt to climate change, even though there are still
scientific uncertainties. At the national level, Malaysia has formed a National Climate
Committee to formulate and implement strategies on climate change. The strategies
drawn include policies on energy usage, public awareness on climate change, food
supply and effective forest and coastal management to mitigate deforestation and the
rising of sea level.

https://www.google.com/search?q=rainfall+data+in+malaysia+statistics

REFERENCES

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/11491361.pdf

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