###### Abstract  
Both natural and anthropogenic coastal landforms characterize Penang Island. As years have passed it is a challenge to differentiate the genuineness of landmasses created by natural geological formations or by coastal reclamation projects. An account is given of the environmental impact of solid wastes used for reclaiming land in coastal areas of Penang and of the impact of a major sewage outfall in the western channel. Leaching of heavy metals was shown to be one of the main sources of contamination from solid wastes. This paper presents eight lines of ground penetrating radar (GPR) surveys and sediment analysis to identify the anthropogenic interventions that shaped the urban landscape of Penang Island by excavations, filling, and embankment construction along the coastline and differentiate it from the natural one. The surveys were implemented in two locations, the Batu Ferringhi area, representing the natural coastline, and Persiaran Bayan Indah (the Queensbay Mall area), representing the anthropogenic coastal landform. The apparent depth of penetration that was achieved using a 250-MHz antenna is limited (less than 5 m). The results show between natural and anthropogenic sediment recorded different radar facies. In complement mode, mean grain size distribution, sorting, skewness, and kurtosis graphics of sediment samples from both sites correspond with the GPR data. This technique can likely be applied to the developing coast, where natural and anthropogenic coastal landform data is incomplete, considering future coastline development. GPR; Penang; anthropogenic; coastal; reclamation; landform; sorting; urban +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
developed [1]. As the urban area increased from 37.8 km\({}^{2}\) (12.6%) in 1980 become 112 km\({}^{2}\) (37.3%) within 35 years, land reclamation has allowed the island to develop more buildings, infrastructures and provided additional land along coastlines that meet the high demand for flat areas in Penang island. Development along Penang's coastal area is still exceeding capacity. Anthropogenic interventions [8] shaping the urban landscape of Penang Island by excavations, filling, and embankment construction along the coastline are becoming intensive. Solid waste was used as filling materials for reclaiming land in coastal areas of Penang [9]. Many experts believe that this coastal reclamation process has put Penang at danger from disasters such as flooding, tsunami, ground instability, increasing saltwater intrusion, and increasing salinity in the soil and groundwater [5; 10; 11]. Moreover, the leaching of heavy metal contaminants from solid waste will pollute the surrounding aquatic environment, including the groundwater [9]. In an interview with Professor Emeritus Dr. [PERSON], he predicted the disasters would occur within 20 to 40 years after completing the new land [12]. Figure 1: Maps comparing the areal distribution (in km\({}^{2}\)) for the urban area, reclaimed area, mangrove area, altogether with changes in anthropogenic coastal landform (reclaimed area) for: (**a**) 1980 and; (**b**) 2015 modified from [6]. About 30 years after the completion of the earlier massive phase of land reclamation (most of Penang's reclamation projects started at the end of the 1980s [6]), Penang is also facing water scarcity. Many developers have turned to the remaining hills to satisfy the demand for land. This has led to deforestation and the decimation of the water catchment. Teluk Bahang Dam, the largest reservoir on Penang island, has experienced droughts and lack of water supply [1]. Government efforts of seek groundwater as an alternative face environmental issues such as salinity and heavy metal contamination. The delineation between natural and anthropogenic (reclaimed) coastal landform is essential to mark the zone of possible polluted and disaster-prone land.