Heavy metal pollution has been a major concern due to their high potential risks in causing severe environmental and health problems. This study aims to study the mean concentrations of heavy metals in several lakes of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) and their potential to be developed for recreational purposes. The water sample from USIM lakes will first be sampled in a HDPE bottles before their physicochemical properties such as pH, conductivity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) as well as heavy metal concentrations will be studied. The physicochemical properties of water will be measured using total TDS/ conductivity and pH meter while the heavy metals contents will be studied using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP OES). The types of heavy metals that will be observed are Arsenic (Ar), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), and Nickel (Ni). It is expected that the physicochemical parameters and the heavy metals concentration will be within the specification range as assigned by the Water Quality Index and National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia because most of the lakes are situated far from any industrial activities. Nonetheless, other factors that may contribute to any abnormal reading of heavy metal concentrations in the lakes also will be studied.

Diatoms, classified as photosynthesizing algae with siliceous skeleton frustules, can be found most in any aquatic habitat on earth, including fresh or coastal lakes, wetlands and almost everywhere humid. They can be classified in nine major classes which are Araphid, Eunotioid, Centric, Epithemioid, Monoraphid, Nitzschioid, Surirelloid, Asymmetrical Biraphid and Symmetrical Biraphid. Diatoms have precise ecological requirements, so they can also be sued as environmental indicators, it is telling us what is happening in the environment. The cell walls of diatoms may be preserved for long periods of time in sediments and provide a record of past changes in lake systems. This research aim is to identify the morphology of diatoms in lakes and reservoirs in USIM. The samples were collected by taking 250 ml of water from each lakes and reservoirs. Then, two drops of water sample were put on a cover slip and two drops of iodine were added. The samples were then observed under microscope and diatoms were identified by analyzing the types of morphology. Diatoms of symmetrical morphology were found in major lakes and reservoirs in USIM. The search for diatoms of other morphologies are still in progress. The morphology of diatoms can help us to know the water condition whether it is polluted or not. Therefore, this research is vital in environmental science as to provide information and support in the investigation to know the water condition.