GEODIVERSITY AND GEOHERITAGE ASSESSMENT IN HULU LANGAT DISTRICT, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Assessment of valuable geological resources is critical in ensuring sustainable utilization of resources at geological sites for education, tourism, recreational and conservation purposes. This research aims to develop a comprehensive method of assessing heritage resources of geological sites based on four values, scientific, aesthetic, recreational and culture in Hulu Langat. The assessment method employed in this research utilised conservation geology approach in order to to establish criteria for the four values that incorperating knowledge of other discipline, namely ecology, history and economic. Specific weightage are given for each criterion in the four values, with an empahis on scientific significance. Based on the total score, each geological sites are classified into geofeature, geosite or geotop. Additional data consisting of basic info and environmental functions, support the classification of assessed geological sites. In Hulu Langat, it was found that most of the geological sites are geofeatures. However additional data obtained shows that they also already function as a recreational area or water catchment and located within forest reserve. Therefore, the geofeatures are proposed as sites for geotourism and as conservation area. The study also recognised the assessment method developed using gelogical landscape approach in this study be able to captured the intangible and tangible significant of the geological sites

Physico-chemical characterisation and potential health benefit of the Hulu Langat Hot Spring in Selangor, Malaysia

Geotourism is a means in geology that contributes to one of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). One of the key areas in geology that can contribute to geotourism activities is hot spring exploration. This study, therefore explores hot springs in Hulu Langat, Selangor for their potential in geotourism based on their physico-chemical properties and their attributed health benefits potential. These renowned hot springs are Batu 16, Dusun Tua, National Youth Training Institute (IKBN), Sg. Serai, and Sg. Lalang. Despite their popularity among tourists, their health benefits potential remain unclear. Therefore, the physico-chemical properties of these hot springs and their potential health benefits as indicated by the abundance of trace elements in each site will be determined in this study. The temperature (℃), conductivity (μs/cm), total dissolved solid (mg/L), salinity (ppt), dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and pH values of the hot springs have been measured in-situ, and the concentrations of trace elements (Si, Li, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, Ag, Na, Zn, K, Mg, Ca, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr and Cu) in hot springs water have been determined in the laboratory. Based on the in-situ measurement results, the hot springs are classified according to their pH and temperature. The pH value range from 6.83-8.71 shows that these hot springs are neutral to weak alkaline. The lowest temperature (40.47°C) has been recorded in Dusun Tua hot spring, whereas the highest temperatures (70.41-74.03°C) have been observed in IKBN hot springs. High concentrations of Si, Li, Na, K, As and Cu are found in Batu 16 hot spring. The concentrations of Fe and Ca are higher in Sg. Serai and Sg. Lalang hot springs, and the highest K concentration is found in Dusun Tua hot spring. The other concentration of trace elements are generally low and similar across hot springs. Given the abundance of trace elements, the hot springs could possibly cure certain diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema. The Batu 16, Sg. Serai and Sg Lalang hot springs have the potential to be developed as important sites for health geotourism industries due to the high trace elements concentration. Thus, this study may serve as a basis for further investigations on this aspect