Marlia M. Hanafiah

Characterization factors for thermal pollution in freshwater aquatic environments

To date the impact of thermal emissions has not been addressed in life cycle assessment despite the narrow thermal tolerance of most aquatic species. A method to derive characterization factors for the impact of cooling water discharges on aquatic ecosystems was developed which uses space and time explicit integration of fate and effects of water temperature changes. The fate factor is calculated with a 1-dimensional steady-state model and reflects the residence time of heat emissions in the river. The effect factor specifies the loss of species diversity per unit of temperature increase and is based on a species sensitivity distribution of temperature tolerance intervals for various aquatic species. As an example, time explicit characterization factors were calculated for the cooling water discharge of a nuclear power plant in Switzerland, quantifying the impact on aquatic ecosystems of the rivers Aare and Rhine. The relative importance of the impact of these cooling water discharges was compared with other impacts in life cycle assessment. We found that thermal emissions are relevant for aquatic ecosystems compared to other stressors, such as chemicals and nutrients. For the case of nuclear electricity investigated, thermal emissions contribute between 3% and over 90% to Ecosystem Quality damage.

Characterization Factors for Water Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Based on Freshwater Fish Species Extinction

Human-induced changes in water consumption and global warming are likely to reduce the species richness of freshwater ecosystems. So far, these impacts have not been addressed in the context of life cycle assessment (LCA). Here, we derived characterization factors for water consumption and global warming based on freshwater fish species loss. Calculation of characterization factors for potential freshwater fish losses from water consumption were estimated using a generic species-river discharge curve for 214 global river basins. We also derived characterization factors for potential freshwater fish species losses per unit of greenhouse gas emission. Based on five global climate scenarios, characterization factors for 63 greenhouse gas emissions were calculated. Depending on the river considered, characterization factors for water consumption can differ up to 3 orders of magnitude. Characterization factors for greenhouse gas emissions can vary up to 5 orders of magnitude, depending on the atmospheric residence time and radiative forcing efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions. An emission of 1 ton of CO₂ is expected to cause the same impact on potential fish species disappearance as the water consumption of 10-1000 m³, depending on the river basin considered. Our results make it possible to compare the impact of water consumption with greenhouse gas emissions.

Including the Introduction of Exotic Species in Life Cycle Impact Assessment: The Case of Inland Shipping

While the ecological impact of anthropogenically introduced exotic species is considered a major threat for biodiversity and ecosystems functioning, it is generally not accounted for in the environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) of products. In this article, we propose a framework that includes exotic species introduction in an LCA context. We derived characterization factors for exotic fish species introduction related to the transport of goods across the Rhine-Main-Danube canal. These characterization factors are expressed as the potentially disappeared fraction (PDF) of native freshwater fish species in the rivers Rhine and Danube integrated over space and time per amount of goods transported (PDF·m(3)·yr·kg(-1)). Furthermore, we quantified the relative importance of exotic fish species introduction compared to other anthropogenic stressors in the freshwater environment (i.e., eutrophication, ecotoxicity, greenhouse gases, and water consumption) for transport of goods through the Rhine-Main-Danube waterway. We found that the introduction of exotic fish species contributed to 70-85% of the total freshwater ecosystem impact, depending on the distance that goods were transported. Our analysis showed that it is relevant and feasible to include the introduction of exotic species in an LCA framework. The proposed framework can be further extended by including the impacts of other exotic species groups, types of water bodies and pathways for introduction.

Environmental characteristics of clay and clay-based minerals

Abstract Clay is an inherently occurring material constituted with fined-grained mineral. The minerals are generally less than 2 microns and occur to be plastic in water content which solidify when dried. In the earth surface, clay represents the most available mineral and forms rocks known as shale and is the major component of sedimentary rocks. The small size of the particles and their unique crystal structures give clay materials special properties. These properties include: cation exchange capabilities, plastic behaviour when wet, catalytic abilities, swelling behaviour, and low permeability. They give to clay and clay-based minerals higher application in many industries and processes. To acknowledge all the features of clay and clay-based minerals, the understanding of their properties especially the cation exchange capability which affects the mechanical and physical properties of the clay is important, and also to acquire information about the crystal structure of clay mineral in general and montmorillonite especially. The purpose of this laboratory is to illustrate the importance of chemistry on the physical properties of montmorillonite, the clay mineral most often used to isolate dangerous waste materials from the environment.

Potential factors that impact the radon level and the prediction of ambient dose equivalent rates of indoor microenvironments

This study aimed to measure the equilibrium equivalent radon (EECRn) concentration in an old building (Building-1) and a new building (Building-2) with mechanical ventilation and a natural ventilation system, respectively. Both buildings were located at the campus of University Kebangsaan Malaysia. The concentration of indoor radon was measured at 25 sampling stations using a radon detector model DOSEman PRO. The sampling was conducted for 8 h to represent daily working hours. A correlation of the radon concentration was made with the annual inhalation dose of the occupants at the indoor stations. The equilibrium factor and the annual effective dose on the lung cancer risks of each occupant were calculated at each sampling station. The average equilibrium equivalent radon measured in Building-1 and Building-2 was 2.33 ± 0.99 and 3.17 ± 1.74 Bqm-3, respectively. The equilibrium factor for Building 1 ranged from 0.1053 to 0.2273, and it ranged from 0.1031 to 0.16 for Building 2. The average annual inhalation doses recorded at Building-1 and Building-2 were 0.014 ± 0.005 mSv y-1 and 0.020 ± 0.013 mSv y-1, respectively. The annual effective dose for Building-1 was 0.034 ± 0.012 mSv y-1, and it was 0.048 ± 0.031 mSv y-1 for Building-2. The values of equilibrium equivalent radon concentration for both buildings were below the standard recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). However, people may have different radon tolerance levels. Therefore, the inhalation of the radon concentration can pose a deleterious health effect for people in an indoor environment.

An Integrated Approach for Stakeholder Participation in Watershed Management

Water is an essential element for life. However, the rapid urbanization and industrial development in the past decades have put stress on water resources. Water resource management is intended to solve watershed problems on a sustainable basis, and these problems can be categorized into lack of water (quantity), deterioration in water quality, ecological effects, poor public participation, and low output economic value for investment in watershed-related activities. Involvement of stakeholders is of utmost importance to ensure no one is left behind in the sustainable management of water resources. Hence, an integrated approach has emerged as a shift from the structural approach to a nonstructural approach, that is, from engineering-based solutions to community-based solutions, aiming to induce policy-driven institutional change, particularly the coordination and integration of multiple stakeholders toward sustainable watershed management

Sustaining life on earth system through clean air, pure water, and fertile soil

Sustaining life on earth is one of the biggest problems we are facing right now that is linked to three sustainability pillars: environment, social, economic. Living in harmony with nature requires an understanding of the concept of a sustainable community and accessibility to clean air, pure water, and fertile soil. Despite our technological and scientific advances, we are dependent on this life support system (Tukker et al. 2014). Clean air refers to the degree to which air is clean enough for living organisms to remain healthy. Good water quality describes the conditions of water including biological, chemical, and physical characteristics that are suitable for use for a particular purpose (Ashraf and Sarfraz 2016). Another important element of environment is soil fertility that refers to the ability of a soil to sustain plant growth and provide shelter to organisms. Changes to these environmental elements will disturb the balance of our ecosystem (Fig. 1). Polluted air, contaminated water supply, and infertile soil pose serious risks to humans and the environment, and as a result of these changes, we are now facing big challenges in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Proactive strategies to prevent and mitigate these problems from getting more severe are required in order to adapt on how to manage and sustain human life on earth (Rulli et al. 2013). Issues of global warming, water availability, and soil degradation are not only visible in rural areas but also include urban areas as well that affected anthropogenic activities. To overcome this issue, proper and holistic management of the ecosystem needs to be embraced. The aim of this special issue is to provide and share new scientific insights on impacts of climate change, water pollution, and soil degradation on resources and ecosystem. This Special Issue aims to foster applied research on diverse topics associated with adaptation and mitigation toward clean air, pure water, and fertile soil. Furthermore, it is aimed at providing and recommending relevant policy-making decisions and seeking knowledge for addressing environmental destruction issues toward sustaining life on earth system (Pfister et al. 2011). Climate resilience and adaptation strategies, improvement of existing water management practices, and sustainable land transformation could help improve our environment for present and future use. These efforts can directly furnish to develop or slow down the impacts of environmental degradation and human health damage. Adaptation strategies and measures can be classified (Tölgyessy 1993) into:

Blue and green water use of cultivating selected crops in Malaysia

Sustainability of water resources should be a concern parallel to the fast pace of economic development. This study was conducted to estimate the total water consumption of growing 9 crops in Peninsular Malaysia which divided into two category of crops; fruits and vegetables, i.e. mandarin, banana, mango, pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, eggplant, green bean and lettuce. The water footprint of these crops was estimated based on 9 years data of climate and crop (2005-2013). The crop water use was determined using CROPWAT 8.0 model and Penman-Monteith equation. It was found that the green water footprint for cultivating 9 crops was higher compared to blue water footprint. The blue water footprint ranged from 20.97m3/ton to 197.84m3/ton, whereas the green water footprint ranged from 129.8m3/ton to 1586.2m3/ton. Banana has the highest total water footprint (1717.10m3/ton) and the lowest total water footprint was obtained for cucumber (175.07m3/ton). In conclusion, water consumption for cultivating agricultural crops will accelerate the competition on the consumption of clean water with the other sectors. However, the availability of water resource in Peninsular Malaysia is still sufficient to fulfill the demands for water at the present time. Further study should include grey water as well as an indicator for water quality to help in assessing the sustainable, efficient and equitable use of water resources.Sustainability of water resources should be a concern parallel to the fast pace of economic development. This study was conducted to estimate the total water consumption of growing 9 crops in Peninsular Malaysia which divided into two category of crops; fruits and vegetables, i.e. mandarin, banana, mango, pineapple, watermelon, cucumber, eggplant, green bean and lettuce. The water footprint of these crops was estimated based on 9 years data of climate and crop (2005-2013). The crop water use was determined using CROPWAT 8.0 model and Penman-Monteith equation. It was found that the green water footprint for cultivating 9 crops was higher compared to blue water footprint. The blue water footprint ranged from 20.97m3/ton to 197.84m3/ton, whereas the green water footprint ranged from 129.8m3/ton to 1586.2m3/ton. Banana has the highest total water footprint (1717.10m3/ton) and the lowest total water footprint was obtained for cucumber (175.07m3/ton). In conclusion, water consumption for cultivating agricultura...

Anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) using bio-methane potential (BMP) test

Biogas is a promising sustainable and renewable energy alternative to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel. In Malaysia, the conversion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) to bioenergy has recently been expanded due to its high potential in generating energy. However, without a proper treatment and management, POME could be harmful to environment because it emits greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and could also pollutes the watercourses if discharge directly due to the high acidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) content. Many initiatives have been taken by the government towards sustainable development. Therefore, more efforts need to be practiced to improve and upscale the technology for a better waste management. In this study, the anaerobic digestion of POME was carried out using Bio-methane potential (BMP) test in batch and laboratory scales. Physicochemical characteristics and the biogas production of POME were measured. The BMP test under mesophilic condition was conducted for 23 consecutive days to measure the biogas production. The POME produced 721.3 cm3 of biogas by using anaerobic sludge as inoculum. The results also found that the methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases produced with 360.65 cm3 and 288.52 cm3, respectively.Biogas is a promising sustainable and renewable energy alternative to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel. In Malaysia, the conversion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) to bioenergy has recently been expanded due to its high potential in generating energy. However, without a proper treatment and management, POME could be harmful to environment because it emits greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and could also pollutes the watercourses if discharge directly due to the high acidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) content. Many initiatives have been taken by the government towards sustainable development. Therefore, more efforts need to be practiced to improve and upscale the technology for a better waste management. In this study, the anaerobic digestion of POME was carried out using Bio-methane potential (BMP) test in batch and laboratory scales. Physicochemical characteristics and the biogas production of POME were measured. The BMP test under mesophilic condition was conducted for 23 consecuti...

Composition and distribution of particulate matter (PM10) in a mechanically ventilated University building

This study analyses the composition and distribution of particulate matter (PM10) in the Biology department building, in UKM. PM10 were collected using SENSIDYNE Gillian GilAir-5 Personal Air Sampling System, a low-volume sampler, whereas the concentration of heavy metals was determined using Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentration of PM10 recorded in the mechanically ventilated building ranges from 89 µgm−3 to 910 µgm−3. The composition of the selected heavy metals in PM10 were dominated by zinc, followed by copper, lead and cadmium. It was found that the present of indoor-related particulate matter were originated from the poorly maintained ventilation system, the activity of occupants and typical office equipments such as printers and photocopy machines. The haze event occured during sampling periods was also affected the PM10 concentration in the building. This results can serve as a starting point to assess the potential human health damage using the life cycle impact...