Recent Temporal and Seasonal Variations in Water Quality Assessment Along the Downstream at Pahang River Basin using KNIME-Based Analysis

Abstract

Water quality in tropical river systems is subject to significant seasonal and temporal variation due to monsoonal climate patterns and growing anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates the recent temporal and seasonal trends in six key water quality parameters—pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N)—along the downstream stretch of the Pahang River, Malaysia, from 2021 to 2024. Water samples were collected at ten stations from Paloh Hinai to the end of Pahang River during both wet and dry seasons each year. Descriptive statistics and histograms were used to evaluate patterns of central tendency and distribution, TSS and NH3-N levels were consistently elevated during wet seasons, highlighting the influence of monsoonal runoff, while DO and COD exhibited stable annual trends. All data processing, visualization, and statistical analyses were conducted using the Konstanz Information Miner (KNIME) Analytics Platform, which enabled an integrated, reproducible workflow for environmental data management. KNIME’s node-based interface facilitated efficient handling of large datasets, generation of graphical outputs, and execution of inferential statistical tests with minimal use for coding. The results underscore the combined impact of seasonal hydrology and land use on river water quality and demonstrate the value of KNIME as a versatile tool for spatiotemporal water quality assessment and decision support in river basin management.