Hydrogeomorphological Assessment of Springs on the Northern Slope of Mount Merbabu

Abstract

The northern slope of Mount Merbabu exhibits a volcanic landform with the possibility of spring formation, which can be analyzed using a hydrogeomorphological methodology. The objective of this study was to examine the hydrogeomorphological features of springs, including their physical attributes such as appearance, distribution, discharge, flow parameters, temperature, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity. This research methodology involved the collection of primary data through the observation of specific geographical sites and the deliberate selection of sampling areas. The research findings indicated the presence of 30 spring locations on the northern slope of Mount Merbabu. These springs were found in various landform units such as craters, cones, slopes, feet, plains, and volcanoes. The main numerical results indicated that the springs exhibited a wide range of discharge rates from 0.02 to 33.29 liters per second, temperature variations from 21.9 to 23.24 degrees Celsius, pH levels from 3.57 to 7.01, TDS values from 38 to 521 mg/L, and electrical conductivity from 40 to 814 µS/cm. The main conclusions were that these springs significantly contributed to the local water resources, with potential applications for agricultural and domestic use. However, the study was limited by the seasonal variations. The scientific novelty of this study lay in its comprehensive analysis of the hydrogeomorphological characteristics of these springs, which were previously undocumented. This research filled a crucial gap in understanding the interactions between geological formations and spring water quality and quantity, offering valuable data for sustainable water resource management and conservation strategies.

Keywords

• hydrogeomorphology
• mount merbabu
• spring water quality
• volcanic landforms