GENERAL GEOLOGY ANI) PHYSICO-

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL FROM

SIPADAN ISLAND AND MABt1L ISLAND

BHAVANI POOPALAN

GEOLOGY PROGRAMME

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

PERPUSTAKAAM UNIVERSIT I MALM SIA SARAH

2005

PERPUSTAKAAN UMS

IIIfII. IIIVIIIV'lillll9

UMVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

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(HURUF BESAM)

mcngawv mcmbcnarkan tuis (LPS/Sarjuta/)oktor Falsafah)" ini disintpan di Perpusul'aan Univusiti

Malaysia Sabah dengtn syarat-syarat kcgunun scpctti bcrikut:

t, Tesis adalab hakmilik, Univctsiti Malaysia Sabah.

2. ýcrpustakaan Universiti Malaysia Sabah dibenukan rnembuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja. 3, pcrpustakaan dibcnarkin membuat salinan tuis ini scbagai bahan pcrtukann anura institusi pcogajian

tinggi. ý. 0 "Sila tandakan (/)

Lk1 SULTT

TERHAD

(MScngrndungi makluniat yang berdarjah kesclarnuar, a tau kepcatiogan Malaysia scpcrti yang termak-wb di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASM1 t972)

(Mcngandungi rraklumat TERHAD yang tclah ditentukan

olch organisasi/badan di maca peoyclidikan dijalankan)

Disahkan olth

(TAND\ITANGAJ PENULTS) (TAN'DATANGAN PUSTAKAWA\')

I 4cg Tin N'Ium -3 ý arýl ttp. 11 5' kt 1 1yamct; 0" z r,,, Ilýuýtýý

Nama Penyclia N. gemtý ý lgr

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Ld-41q, k h26 3Tutkh:

CATAT, 1, N: " Potong yang tidakbakenaan.

. '" Jika tcsis ini SULZT atau TERHAD, silo lampirkan tarrat daripada pihak bakuaaa/organisui

I+akenaan dcngan menyatahan sekalt scbab clan tempvh tcsis ini pcrlu dikdaskan sebaaai SULIT din TF. RIIAD.

tu Tesis dimaksudkan scbagai tcsis bagi Ijauh Doktor Falsafah dan Satjana seam penyelidtkan. atau disertasi bagi pcngajian accara kerja kursus dan parycldikan, atau Laporan Proick Satjana Muda (LPSM).

M

J

II

DE('LARA'I'1ON

I hereby declare that this dissertation is based on my original work except for quotations

and citations which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been

previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UMS or other institutions.

Date :

NS 2002-3972

VERIFICATION

1. SUPERVISOR

(DR. BABA MUS IA)

2. EXAMINER I

( PROF DR. SANUDIN IIJ. TAIIIR )

3. EXAMINER 2

(PROF. MADYA DR. SIiARIFF A. K. OMANG )

4. DEAN

Signature

III

(PROF. MADYA DR. AMRAN AIIMED )

IV'

A('KNOWLEGNlENT

I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. ßaha Musta, who really helped and

guided me whenever I consulted him, even during his busiest hour he it here in Malaysia

or in Antartica.

Not forgetting too lecturers who willingly helped and guided not only to complete

this project, but shared their geological expertise throughout these three years of course.:

Prof Dr. Sanudin Tahir, Prof. Madya Dr. ShariflOmang, Prof. Dr. Felix Tongkul, En.

Adong Laming dan En. Sahat Sadikun. Special thanks to lab assistants, especially Encik

Jalaludin, En. Panjiman (SKIM). En. Mat and En Rahman.

Without friends, who am 1? Note of appreciation and many thanks to all who are

dearest to me: Bala, GP, Mala, Kanages, Punitha, Rani, the Magudianz: Kalis, Hari,

Vicky, Anand, Mog, Kitkat ,

Yugen, Zuraini, Am, Fizi and the rest of my coursemates

To my family, my father who always prays for me, my sister and brother who

never failed to support me in any way all the time

Lastly, to all those people who helped me to make it successfully so far, but

incase of my forgetting, thank you to you too.

ý

ABSTItA('T

Sipadan Island and Mabul Island are located in the south east coast of Sabah, precisely in

the Celebes Sea. Sipadan Island is bounded by longitude 118° 3TE: and 118° 38'E: , and

between latitude 4° 06'N and 4° 08'N. Whereas Mabul Island is set between longitudes of

118° 3TE and 118° 38'E and latitudes of 4° 14'N and 4° 15'N. The formation of both

islands was due to the volcanic activity during the age of Quaternary. Originally

deposited as coral reef; deposits of raised coral limestone, now overlie the Quaternary

sediments and volcanic rocks. Eleven soil samples from Sipadan and twenty eight from

Mabul were collected for geochcmical analysis. These analysis consist of tests on pH,

moisture content, organic content, particle size and concentration of four trace elements : -

Cromium, Cuprum, Plumbum and Zink. Concentration of these elements are controlled

by pH, organic content and particle size. Samples were found to be in the p11 range of 7

to 9. Their organic content is little, from 1.02% to 9.12% in Sipadan and 0.2% to 5.27%

in Mabul. The concentration of each trace elements in Sipadan is as follows: - Cr : 1.4

ppm - 13.5 ppm, Cu : 29.6 ppm -- 4238 ppm, Pb : 0.4 ppm - 23.4 ppm and Zn : 5.7 ppm

52.8 ppm. Whereas in Mabul: - Cr : 1.3 ppm - 8.4 ppm, Cu : 0.6 ppm -- 61.4 ppm, Pb :

0.08 ppm 11.1 ppm and Zn : 1.2 ppm - 58.4 ppm

'i

ABti7'RAk

Pulau Sipadan dan Pulau Mahul terletak di hahagian pantai tenggara Sabah, iaitu di Laut

Celebes. Pulau Sipadan terletak di antara longitud 118° 37E dan 118° 38'1: ; dan di antara

latitud 4° 06'N and 4° O8'N. Manakala Pulau Mabul pula adalah di antara longitud 118°

3TE dan 118° 38'E: serta latitud 4° 14'N dan 4° 15'N. Pembentukan kcdua dua pulau

im dikailkan dengan aktiviti gunung berapi pada usia Kuatener. Karang batu kapur, yang

pada mulanya merupakan deposit hatu karang, kini terletak di atas sedimen Kuatemari

dan batuan volakanik. Sebelas sampel diambil dari Pulau Sipadan dan dua puluh lapan

lagi dari Pulau Mabul untuk dibuat analisa geokimia. Analisa-analisa yang dimaksudkan

adalah terhadap p11, kandungan kelembapan, kandungan organik, salz partikel tanah dan

kepekatan empat unsur surih, iaitu Kromium, Kuprum, Plumbum dan Zink. Kepekatan

unsur-unsur ini dipengaruhi oleh p1i, kandungan organik dan salz partikel. pH sampel-

sampel adalah dalam julat 7 9. Kandungan organik pula berjulat 1.02 °b - 9.12 % di

Sipadan dan 0.02 %-5.27 % di Mabul. Kepekatan unsur-unsur surih di Sipadan adalah

seperti berikut :- Cr : 1.4 ppm - 13.5 ppm, Cu : 29.6 ppm - 4238 ppm, Pb : 0.4 ppm

23.4 ppm and Zn : 5.7 ppm - 52.8 ppm. Manakala di Mabul :- Cr : 1.3 ppm - 8.4 ppm,

Cu : 0.6 ppm 61.4 ppm, Pb : 0.08 ppm 11.1 ppm and Zn : 1.2 ppm 58.4 ppm

vii

CONTENTS

PAGES

DECLARATION ii

VERIFICATION iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

ABSTRACT V

ABSTRAK vi

LIST OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES x

LIST OF FIGURES xi

LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS xv

LIST OF MICROPHOTOGRAPHS xvi

CHAPTER 1 INTRODI'CTION I

1.1 LOCATION OF STUDY AREA I

1.2 OBJECTIVE 7

1.3 METHODOLOGY 7

1.3.1 Early Reseach and Literature Review 8

1.3.2 Fieldwork and Sampling 8

1.3.3 Laboratory Analysis 9

1.3.3 Report Writing 15

1.4 LITERATURE REVIEW 16

CHAPTER 2 GEOGRAPHY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY

2.1 INTRODUCTION

2.2 GEOGRAPHY OF THE STUDY AREA

2.2.1 Climate

2.2.2 Flora and Fauna

21

21

21

22

23

2.2.3 People 26

% 111

2.3 GEOMORPIIOLOGY 29

2.3.1 Topography and Drainage System

2.3.2 Geomorphological Evolution

2.3.3 Island Morphology

a. Sandy Beach

b. Coral Reef Zone

2.3.4 Mainland Morphology

a. Igneus Morphology

b. Sedimentary Morphology

30

34

35

35

39

41

42

44

CHAPTER 3 GENERAL GEOLOGY AND S'I'RA'TIGRAPIIY 47

3.1 INTRODUCTION 47

3.2 STRATIGRAPHY 48

3.3 REAGIONAL TECTONIC SETTING AND FORMATION 53

OF THE STUDY AREA

CHAPTER 4 GEOCHEMISTRY 57

4.1 INTRODUCTION 57

4.2 pH ANALYSIS 58

4.3 MOISTURE CONTENT ANALYSIS 60

4.4 ORGANIC CONTENT ( BOT %) 64

4.5 PARTICLE SIZE ANALYSIS 67

4.6 ANALYSIS OF TRACE EI. FMFNTS 81

4.6.1 AAS Results for Sipadan Island 82

4.6.2 AAS Results of Mabul Island 83

4.7 DISCUSSION 94

4.7.1 Introduction 94

4.7.2 Organic Content's (BOT%) Relation with pH 94

4.7.3 Relation between Percentage of Clay with Moisture Content 96

4.7.4 Relation of Trace Element's Concentration with Organic Content 98

ix

4.7.5 Relation of Trace Elements' Concentration with pH 103

4.7.6 Relation of Trace Elements' with Percentage of Clay 108

('HAPTER 5 CONCLUSION AND PROPOSAL 113

5.1 CONCLUSION 113

5.2 PROPOSAL 115

REFERENCE

APPENDIX

116

119

x

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1 : Ethnics in Semporna Island

Table 4. I: pH analysis for Sipadan Island

Table 4.2 : pH analysis for Mabul Island

Table 4.3 : Moisture content analysis for Sipadan Island

Table 4.4 : Moisture content analysis for Mabul Island

Table 4.5 : °'o of BOT in Sipadan

'f'able 4.6 °o of 13(Yf in Mabul

Table 4.7 : Distribution of particle size for Sipadan Island

Table 4.8 Distribution of particle size for Mabul Island

Table 4.9 : Concentration of trace elements in Sipadan Island

Table 4.10 Concentration of trace elements in Mabul Island

\1

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1

Figure 1.2

Figure 1.3

Figure 1.4

Figure 1.5

Figure 1.6

Figure 1.7

Figure 2.1

Figure 2.2

Figure 2.3

Figure 2.4

Figure 2.5

Figure 2.6

Figure 2.7

Figure 2.8

Figure 2.9

Figure 3.1

Figure 3.2

Figure 3.3:

Figure 4. I:

Figure 4.2

General map showing the study area

Map of Sipadan

Map of Mabul

Map of Semporana

Map of Sipadan with its Sampling Stations

Map of Mabul with its Sampling Stations

Basic structure of Sipadan and Mabul

Monthly data of highest rainfall in Sipadan Island

Rainfall data for Semporna

Location of reef around Sipadan

Location of reef around Mabul

Pie chart of population in Semporna Island

Drainage system in Semporna Peninsula

Topographical features of Semporna Peninsula

legends of Figure 2.7

Depth zones around Mabul

Summary of Reagional Startigraphy (modified from Kirk, 1962)

Formation and Subduction of Borneo, (Balaguru and Nichols, 2004)

Basin and subduction system of Borneo (Atmadja, 1999)1

USDA chart for soil classification

Classification for S1, S3, S7 and S1 I in Sipadan

X11

Figure 4.3

Figure 4.4

Figure 4.5

Figure 4.6

Figure 4.7

Figure 4.8

Figure 4.9

Figure 4.10

Figure 4.11

Figure 4.12

Figure 4.13

Figure 4.14

Figure 4.15

Figure 4.16

Figure 4.17

Figure 4.18

Figure 4.19

Figure 4.20

Figure 4.21

Figure 4.22

Figure 4.23

Classification for S2, S4, S5, S6, S8 and S 10 in Sipadan

Classification for M20, M2A, M213, M2C, M3, M5, M60, M7, M8, M 10,

M11, M13, M14, M15 in Mabul

Classification for M1, M40, M4A, M4[3, M4C, M6A, M613, M6C, M61),

M 12, M 16 and M 17 in Mabul

Soil grading for some samples in Sipadan : Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Sipadan : Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Mabul Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Mabul Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Mabul Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Mabul Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Mabul : Uniform

Soil grading for some samples in Mabul Uniform

Concentration of Cr in Sipadan

Concentration of Cu in Sipadan

Concentration of Pb in Sipadan

Concentration of Zn in Sipadan

Concentration of Cr in Mabul

Concentration of Cu in Mabul

Concentration of Pb in Mabul

Concentration of Zn in Mabul

Relation of BOT% with pH in Sipadan

Relation of BOT% with pH in Mabul

xlll

Figure 4.24

Figure 4.25

Figure 4.26

Figure 4.27

Figure 4.28

Figure 4.29

Figure 4.30

Figure 4.31

Figure 4.32

Figure 4.33

Figure 4.34

Figure 4.35

Figure 4.36

Figure 4.37

Figure 4.38

Figure 4.39

Figure 4.40

Figure 4.41

Figure 4.42

Figure 4.43

Figure 4.44

Figure 4.45

Figure 4.46

Relation of % of Clay with Moisture Content in Sipadan

Relation of % of Clay with Moisture Content in Mabul

Relation of Cr's Concentration with BOi'°/o in Sipadan

Relation of Cu's Concentration with BO"f°, o in Sipadan

Relation of Pb's Concentration with BOT I/o in Sipadan

Relation of Zn's Concentration with BOT% in Sipadan

Relation of Cr's Concentration with BOT% in Mabul

Relation of Cu's Concentration with BOT% in Mabul

Relation of Pb's Concentration with BOT°/o in Mabul

Relation of Zn's Concentration with BOP/4) in Mabul

Relation of Cr's Concentration with p}1 in Sipadan

Relation of Cu's Concentration with pH in Sipadan

Relation of Pb's Concentration with p11 in Sipadan I

Relation of Zn's Concentration with pH in Sipadan

Relation of Cr's Concentration with p11 in Mabul

Relation of Cu's Concentration with pH in Mabul

Relation of Pb's Concentration with pH in Mabul

Relation of Zn's Concentration with pH in Mabul

Relation of Cr's Concentration with % of Clay in Sipadan

Relation of Cu's Concentration with % of Clay in Sipadan

Relation of Pb's Concentration with % of Clay in Sipadan

Relation of Zn's Concentration with % of Clay in Sipadan

Relation of Cr's Concentration with % of Clay in Mabul

xlv

Figure 4.47 : Relation of Cu's Concentration with % of Clay in Mabul

Figure 4.48 : Relation of Pb's Concentration with % of Clay in Mabul

Figure 4.49 : Relation of Zn's Concentration with % of Clay in Mabul

X%*

LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo 1.1 Overall view of Sipadan Island

Photo 1.2 : Overall view of Mabul Island

Photo 2.1

Photo 2.2

Photo 2.3

Photo 2.4

Photo 2.5

Photo 2.6

Photo 2.7

Photo 2.8

Photo 2.9

Photo 2.10

Photo 2.11

Photo 2.12 :

Photo 2.13 :

Photo 2.14:

Photo 2.15 :

Photo 2.16:

Photo 4.1 :

General plant type of Sipadan Isaland

General plant type in Mabul Island

Beach in Sipadan Island

Sandy beach of Sipadan Island

Exposed coconut tree roots in Mabul Island

Exposed soil profile at the shore in Mabul Island

Fine sand of Sipadan Island

Soil composed of organic material at Sipadan's Island

Sand dunes at Sipadan Island's beach

View of coral rocks fro S4 by the beach in Sipadan Island

Coral rocks by the beach in Mabul Island

Conal and steep hill of Semporna

Boulder of volcanic rock being aground 8km from Sempoma

Wetland with mangrove trees by the coastline in Semporna

Deposit of coral rock at Kampung Simunul, Semporna.

Coral deposit in Kampung Bubul, Semporna

Station M4

Photo 4.2 : Station M6

XYI

LIST OM MI('ROPIIOTOGRAPIIS

Microphotographs 3.1 Seen here is Microcline, Quartz,

Pheldspar and Matrix.

Scale of 10 x

Microphotographs 3.2 : Seen here is andesine and other

matrix minerals

('HAPTEK I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 LOCATION OF STUDY AREA

The study areas, Sipadan Island and Mabul Island, are located at south east coast of Sabah,

precisely in the Celebes Sea. Sipadan Island is located between longitude 118° 37'E and

1 18° 38'E , and between latitude 4° 06'N and 4° OWN. The island is built on a volcanic sea

mount. It is about 200 metres in length across in the direction of East-West. The general

view for Sipadan Island is as follows (Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2)

Photo 1.1 Overall view of Sipadan Island

The Mabul Island is located between longitudes of 118°37'E. 118°3WE and

latitudes of 4°14'N, 4°15'N. Its length across (East-West direction) is about 500 metres.

General view of Mabul Island is as follows (Foto I. 2). Both islands are well known

throughout the world as one of the underwater paradise for divers because of its rich

marine life and unspoiled coral ecosystem. One has to travel by boat to both islands from

the nearest town, that is Semporna. The boat ride will take approximately 45 minutes.

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Photo 1.2 Overall view of \lahul Island

Figure 1.1 shows the position of Sipadan Island, Mabul Island the Sempoma

Peninsula in the general nap of Sabah. Figure 1.2 , 1.3, and 1.4 show map of Sipadan

Island, Mabul Island and Semporna Peninsula respectively.

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Figure 1.2 Map of Sipadan Island

5

II 118'3 7'20"E I 12i° i 7'40"F

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Celebes Sea

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Figure 1.3 Map of Mabul Island

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7

1.1 OBJE('7'1VE

There are two main objectives to be achieved in this project :

Firstly, to study the basic geological aspects of Sipadan Island, Mabul Island and the

Semporna Peninsula. The geological aspects will be focused on the geomorphology,

lithology, petrography and structural geology of the study area. to study the geochemistry

distribution of trace and major elements and the mineralogy of the soil in both islands.

Other than that, this project is one of the terms and conditions set by the

university in order to get a degree in Bachelors of Science (Geology)

1.2 METHODOLOGY

There are a few methods that were used as guidelines to complete this project, as stated

below :

Early Research and Literature Review

1 Fieldwork and Sampling

I Laboratory Analysis

I Report Writing

II

R ERE

Abdullah M. H., Mo htar M. B. Tahir . 1., Awaludin A. T., t

water quality in th upper Phraetic zone f a mall oceani ialand ipadan I land

Mala ia .. Journal of Fnvironmenlal G ology 29, I.

Abdullah, Musta, Ari and Annamala, 20 . of Mabul I land,

mporna abah:

Japan, 117 - 120

can Public Health A iati n APHA), I 5. For liz

. aminal ion ofWaler and Wa 'Iewaler.

Allagu, . and Nich I , . 2004. Tertiary tratigraph and basin e oluti n, uth · r

abah Mala ia B m ). J urnal if A ian Earlh iell e 23,537·554.

Saba Mu ta and anudin Hj. abir I . Kajian g kirnia un ure·un ur dalam urn pur

dan tanah di Pulau Tig in.f; 5 47·56.

angar, K. M., I 95, Texlb k if eolo : Gen ral and Ell ill ering. tandard

Publish rs Oi tribut rs

Brian M and Carleton B.M., 1989, hemi. try. J hn Wil

of Til Je selton Kola

Kinabalu Ar a. • In

117

Herbert, . A. hin P. H., W. B. and Alan R. W. I 4. M lal

'on/am ina/ion of oil. Lew. Publi h r

}(jrk. H. J. C., 1962. The ology and Mineral Re. our e. ofTh

orth Borneo Kucing, •

Konrad, B. K. and enni, K. ., 1 5. 1111rc du lion to h mi'try.3rd d. Me- ra

Hill. New York

Lin, H. S., 1992. oral R efi of . KuaJa Lumpur, Mala ia.

Musta, B., Raya, Z. and ahibin Abd. Rahim 2004. limpahan Logam rat

da1am anih dan edimen Pantai di ekitllr Kota Kinabalu, • ',a

Journal if Analytical ienc 8 I, -104

Reinhard, M., and Wenk, ., 1951. OfTh 01 11 Of North Born Q. Hi

Maj • tat I n ry

Rinhadr M., and W nk E., 1951. of th colon of n rth

Atm dja, R., Noeradi, D. and Priadi ., 1 9. en i magmati m in

Kalimantan and its related giodynamic volution. Journal ian Earth

17 25-45.

I 1

on Pulau

ipadan. A inal Report to he tate 0 emm nt f ahah

Tan, T. H. . 1989. Kaedah okimia unaan. ahasa dan Kuala

Lumpur.

n of ahah, Malay ia. Journal of.. uth Ea. I A ian

Earth

Wit n~ M . J., bamber, J. L. •• an M. J" Mo , . 1. and . . , ] •

tudic from · Kalimantan. J umal

of A ian Earlh ienc 17 , 183-20] .