Zelina Zaiton Ibrahim

Source Type Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Surface Sediments from the Muar River and Pulau Merambong, Peninsular Malaysia

This article is the most recent report of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Muar River and Pulau Merambong, Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 16 priority pollutant PAHs in addition to methylphenanthrene among alkylated PAHs were analyzed in surface sediments during May 2013. Total PAHs ranged from 212 to 440 and 151 to 412 ng g−1 dw in sediments from the Muar River and the Pulau Merambong, respectively. The Muar River showed an increasing trend of PAH concentrations, while no previous data exist for the Pulau Merambong. Generally, mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic sources of PAHs with predominance of the latter were detected in the study area. Effective management of oil pollution has caused a drastic decrease in petrogenic sources of PAHs.

Neap-spring tidal effects on dissolved oxygen in two Malaysian estuaries

The longitudinal distributions of dissolved oxygen change dramatically during neap-spring tidal cycles in the lower Selangor and Klang Rivers. An oxygen deficit develops in both estuaries when the tidal range is high. The Selangor River inflow is nearly saturated with D.O., but during spring tides D.O. falls to as little as 15% of saturation in the middle reaches of the estuary. The Klang River has low D.O. freshwater input, an oxygen minimum develops during neap tides, and anoxic conditions are produced by spring tides. These oxygen minima are attributed to the high oxygen demand of sediment that rests on the bottom during neap tides and is resuspended during spring tides. The ecological effects of tidal cycling patterns of dissolved oxygen in these Malaysian estuaries need further study, within the context of land use patterns and other human activities.

Forensic investigation of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the sediments from selected mangrove ecosystems in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Peninsular Malaysia has gone through fast development during recent decades resulting in the release of large amounts of petroleum and its products into the environment. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are one of the major components of petroleum. Surface sediment samples were collected from five rivers along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and analyzed for aliphatic hydrocarbons. The total concentrations of C10 to C36 n-alkanes ranged from 27,945 to 254,463ng·g(-1)dry weight (dw). Evaluation of various n-alkane indices such as carbon preference index (CPI; 0.35 to 3.10) and average chain length (ACL; 26.74 to 29.23) of C25 to C33 n-alkanes indicated a predominance of petrogenic source n-alkanes in the lower parts of the Rivers, while biogenic origin n-alkanes from vascular plants are more predominant in the upper parts, especially in less polluted areas. Petrogenic sources of n-alkanes are predominantly heavy and degraded oil versus fresh oil inputs.

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sediment from Muar River and Pulau Merambong, Peninsular Malaysia

Previous studies indicated that with increasing industrialization and urbanization, pollution problems have become more significant in Malaysia. West coast of Malaysia is more populated and urbanized than the east and therefore more susceptible to various pollutants. Surface sediment samples were collected from Pulau Merambong and Muar river, Peninsular Malaysia during May 2013 where 16 USEPA Priority Pollutants PAHs were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total PAHs in the sediments for Muar river ranged from 15.5 to 165.7 ng/g dw whereas the total PAHs for Pulau Merambong ranged from 38.6 to 122.8 ng/g dw. Due to rapid urbanization and motorization, Muar river showed an increasing trend of PAHs concentrations when compared to a study conducted about a decade ago. Pulau Merambong shows relatively lower PAHs concentrations as compared to other locations in Peninsular Malaysia. However, there is no previous data in Pulau Merambong to evaluate the trend in the petroleum hydrocarbons distribution and concentrations. In general, this study revealed that the lowest concentrations were detected in downstream of the Muar and Pulau Meranbong, respectively. This study also found abundance of high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs as compared to low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs suggesting predominance of pyrogenic PAH sources via atmospheric and long-range input. The ratio of LMW PAHs to HMW PAHs (LMW/HMW) were in the range of 0.05–0.33 indicating pyrogenic input and this is consistent with other diagnostic ratios.

Measuring the economic values of natural resources along a freeway: a contingent valuation method

Natural resources are often victims of development. On the one hand, a freeway is under construction, while on the other hand there are unique natural resources along the route of the freeway. Both of them are essential to us. Thus, we cannot ignore either of them. The purpose of this study is to find the monetary equivalent of the natural resources in response to a challenge between environment and development. Dealing with non-use values, we apply the contingent valuation method (CVM). Our results show that the mean of willingness to pay (WTP) is US

Phytoremediation Potential of Vetiver Grass ( Vetiveria zizanioides ) for Treatment of Metal-Contaminated Water

1.84 per household for supporting natural resources along the route of the freeway. Total WTP for supporting natural resources along the route of the freeway is US

Spatial data sharing implementation in Malaysia’s marine organisations: a case study

77 million annually. The findings indicate that Iranian people have a high sensitivity for supporting natural resources along the route of the freeway. Hence, the government should give more attention to natural resources along the freeway and change its route.

Methodology for modeling of city sustainable development based on fuzzy logic: a practical case

Phytoremediation using vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) has been regarded as an effective technique for removing contaminants in polluted water. This study was conducted to assess the removal efficiency of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) using vetiver grass (VG) at different root lengths and densities and to determine metals uptake rate by plant parts (root and shoot) between treatments (low and high concentration). Removal efficiency for heavy metals in water by VG is ranked in the order of Fe>Pb>Cu>Mn>Zn. Results showed that VG was effective in removing all the heavy metals, but removals greatly depend on root length, plant density and metal concentration. Longer root length and higher density showed greater removals of heavy metals due to increased surface area for metal absorption by plant roots. Results also demonstrated significant difference of heavy metals uptake in plant parts at different concentrations indicating that root has high tolerance towards elevated concentration of heavy metals. However, the effects were less significant in plant shoot suggesting that metals uptake were generally higher in root than in shoot. The findings have shown potential of VG in phytoremediation for heavy metals removal in water thus providing significant implication for treatment of metal-contaminated water.

Firefly distribution and abundance on mangrove vegetation assemblages in Sepetang estuary, Peninsular Malaysia

This paper discusses the explanatory study of spatial information sharing in Malaysian marine-related organisations. A semi-structured interview is used to explore the GIS implementation in the organisation. This paper also examines the drivers and issues in implementing marine spatial data sharing within and between marine organisations. Eleven marine and coastal-related organisations were interviewed. Thematic and SWOT analysis was selected to categorise information into several themes and factors including internal and external factors that affected the GIS and spatial data sharing implementation in the organisations. The results revealed that most of the respondents were aware of the importance of GIS and spatial data sharing to support certain aspects of the management of the organisation. The results also show the lack of planning and implementation of GIS, lack of awareness of the importance of GIS and spatial data sharing, and lack of communication and cooperation within and between organisations. To improve the marine spatial information sharing, two strategies was proposed: improving GIS strategic planning to focus on GIS planning and development in the organisation, and enhancing cooperation to focus on developing the connection and communication between organisations to facilitate spatial information sharing.

Distribution and abundance of Pteroptyx fireflies in Rembau-Linggi estuary, Peninsular Malaysia.

Information on sustainability can be used for future development planning. This study presents an approach for assessing urban sustainability. Delphi and fuzzy logic methods and the Kruskal–Wallis test were the discovery and verification techniques used. The city system comprised social, economic, and environmental subsystems. The seven orientors of existence, effectiveness, freedom of action, security, adaptability, coexistence, and psychological need were measured using different indicators. The final sustainability output was obtained by aggregation of the multiple orientors and subsystems sustainability values into a unified measure. A fuzzy sustainability index was developed to compare the importance of the sustainability orientors and subsystems. The model was applied to Mahshahr, an industrialized coastal city in Iran. The model output for the subsystems showed significant differences between the economic and environmental subsystems and the social subsystem. The final sustainability output showed that the effectiveness orientor gave the highest sustainability value. The model is dynamic and can be modified for different purposes by changing the indicators. With this model, policy-makers can evaluate existing city sustainability and predict future sustainability by varying the indicators. This can be done on local, regional, and global scales for security and adaptation strategies, mitigation plans, and sustainable development management.