Sources and Distribution of N-Alkane and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Selected Locations in Peninsular Malaysia

Distribution and sources of perylene have not been thoroughly investigated and are therefore not well understood in the tropical environment. This study focusses on the distribution pattern and source identification of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons particularly perylene. Surface sediments, suspended particulate matter, sediment core samples, different compartments of termite nests (Macrotermes gilvus) and the surrounding soils and plants were collected from the Klang River, Langat River, Chini Lake and in the campus of Universiti Putra Malaysia, respectively. Alkanes and perylene concentrations were significantly different in new and old fungus combs particularly in large termite nests. There are also significant differences between alkyl-C, neutral carbohydrate, aromatic rings of lignin and chitin concentrations in new and old fungus combs. The levels of nC31/ (nC27+nC29+nC31) ratios revealed that new and old fungus combs may receive more contribution from grass waxes relative to tree and shrub waxes. Termites M. gilvus and woody plants are sources of perylene in the tropical environment. The distribution patterns of n-alkanes and PAHs suggest that the upstream stretch of the Langat River receives greater inputs of these compounds when compared to the downstream stretches. This may be due to the fact that industrial areas are concentrated in Kajang and Bangi towns. Lower and medium molecular weight PAHs and n-alkanes were dominant in suspended particulate matter, whereas higher molecular weight PAHs and nalkanes were dominant in surface sediments. Results of diagnostic ratios indicate mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic sources with predominance of pyrogenic inputs for 18 PAHs and perylene in Langat River sediments. The data collected from Klang River sediments show that petrogenic inputs were predominant at all of the stations investigated. In Lake Chini sediment core samples, perylene concentrations were high in the top layers (0-12cm) and increased with increasing depths. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least significant difference (LSD) tests revealed that there were significant differences (p<0.05 at the 95% confidence level) in TOC-normalized perylene concentrations between the top layers and the bottom layers of the sediment core samples. This can be attributed to different sources of perylene. The results of analysis of critical ratios of perylene, such as perylene/total PAHs, perylene/panta-aromatic isomers of perylene and pyrene/perylene indicate biological sources in the top layers and in situ formation of perylene in the bottom layers. These results are consistent with the results for n-alkane concentrations and suggest that Lake Chini sediments are highly affected by terrestrial vascular plants. Source identification of metals exhibits the predominance of natural inputs for Cu and Zn in the top layers and anthropogenic inputs for Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the bottom layers of the Lake Chini sediment profiles. Results of correlation analysis among the metals and between each metal and Σ19PAHs, perylene and perylene/TOC indicate significant positive correlations between PAHs and Cu concentrations (r = 0.79, p = 0.002), Zn concentrations (r = 0.73; p = 0.007) and Pb concentrations (r = 0.68; p = 0.016), respectively. There was no significant correlation found between PAHs and Ni and Cd (r = 0.53; p = 0.077), (r = 0.57; p = 0.051). Furthermore, perylene and perylene/TOC were significantly correlated with Cu, Zn and Pb. A possible explanation for these results may be ascribed to enzymatic activities of microorganisms. Cu and Zn are essential elements in many metallo-enzyme processes for microorganisms. In addition, Pb can be used by anaerobic bacteria during the methylation process using methylase enzymes. It is concluded that perylene is formed in termite (M. gilvus) nests. It accumulates in new fungus comb. High concentrations of aromatic rings of lignin as a precursor of perylene are found in new fungus combs. It is postulated that perylene is supplied to the river as a result of the heavy and frequent rains in the tropical climate. The fact that perylene was found in abundance in the top layers of the sediment core samples from Lake Chini under aerobic conditions is in contrast with the results of other studies elsewhere. A minor concentration of perylene is believed to be degraded into derivative isomers which are found in old fungus combs and also in Lake Chini sediments

Evaluation of mercury contamination in soils of industrial estates of Arak city

Background and Aims: Mercury is generally considered one of the most toxic heavy metals that rapid industrial development and industry uses of mercury cause accumulation of mercury in soil. The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration and degree of mercury pollution in topsoil of three major industrial estates of Arak city.Materials and Methods: In this study three estates was investigated. Soil samples were collected from thedepth of 0 to 20 cm . 22 samples were taken and analyzed. Mercury concentrations in soil samples were determined by Advanced Mercury Analyzer (Model; Leco, AMA 254).Results: The mercury concentrations in soil samples range from 68.43 to 137.03 μg/ kg for soils, with a mean value of 102.07 μg/ kg. Means comparison showed significant difference among industrial town 2 with other industrial towns .Also there was no significant correlation between soil pH and Hg concentration.Conclusion: The result of this research showed that: Compared to earth crust, surface soils in industrial towns had higher mercury concentrations, but compared to other soils around the world, it did not show high levels of mercury and it seems that most of the sources of mercury pollution are natural. Despite the concentration of total Hg in soils are not acute, however the planning for emission control of this metal and other pollutants, with application of green plants purification technology should be considered seriously.Key words: Mercury, Soil, Industrial estate, Arak cit

Comparison Between the Efficiency of Plain GAC and Supported GAC With Manganese Oxide for Toluene Adsorption From Waste Air Stream

Objectives Type of adsorbent is the most important parameter to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air stream. Application of a selective adsorbent could lead to the higher efficiency and lower costs in the adsorption processes. The current study aimed at investigating the efficiency of manganese oxide impregnated on GAC support (MnO/GAC) to remove toluene from air stream. The efficiency of MnO/GAC and GAC absorbents for toluene removal were compared at the same experimental conditions.Methods The MnO/GAC preparation method was Sol-gel. Retention time (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 seconds), inlet toluene concentration (100, 200, 300, and 400 part per million, by volume) and the temperature of the air stream (25, 50, 75, and 100�C) were examined as the main functional parameters in the adsorption process.Results Breakthrough time of MnO/GAC adsorbent in comparison to that of the plain GAC increased 6 to 11 at the retention time of 0.5 to 4 seconds. Adsorption capacity of GAC and MnO/GAC increased 67.9 and 61.1 by increasing inlet toluene concentration from 100 to 400 ppmv, respectively. Breakthrough time of GAC and MnO/GAC decreased 57.9 and 59.6 by increasing inlet toluene concentration from 100 to 400 ppmv, respectively. Breakthrough time of GAC decreased from 41 to 26 hours by increasing the temperature of the air stream from 25�C to 100�C. Direct air temperature increase affected the MnO/GAC efficiency for toluene adsorption and the breakthrough time increased from 46 to 57 hours.Conclusion Results of the current study showed that MnO/GAC could be applied as a good substitution for GAC in the adsorption of VOCs from air streams

Impacts of marine pollution and toxicology: a Mussel Watch experience in Peninsular Malaysia

Based on a well-studied green lipped Perna viridis, the present review paper exemplified the impacts of marine pollution and toxicology in terms of a) chemicals/pollutant bioaccumulation, b) morphological and physiological responses and c) genetic polymorphism and differentiation. From the review based on Mussel Watch publications, three insights can be found. Firstly, the similar finding for both heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) studies in the marine mussels was found in which elevated or higher levels (than the normal ranges) of the two types of pollutants in the mussels collected from anthropogenic receiving inputs areas. Secondly, the morphological response (shell deformities) and physiological responses (CI, FR and mortality) of mussels are results of heavy metal pollution in the marine coastal waters. Thirdly, the changes of genetic polymorphic loci in the polluted mussels were resulted from exposure to metal polluted coastal waters. Therefore, our Mussel Watch experience can be employed to understand the effects of marine pollution and toxicology

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes in suspended particulate matter and sediments from the Langat River, peninsular Malaysia

The Langat River basin has seen rapid developments in industrialization, urbanization and dramatic population increases during the past two decades. The composition and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aliphatic hydrocarbon (n-alkanes) concentrations were determined in surface sediments (SS) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected from six locations in the Langat River. The total n-alkanes concentrations (6HC) ranged from 5900 to 23000 Pg/g in SPM and 1700 to 8600 Pg/g in SS samples. Total PAHs concentrations varied from 306 to 7968 ng/g in SPM and 558 to 980 ng/g in SS. PAHs and n-alkanes were dominated by higher molecular weight compounds in SS and low-medium molecular weight compounds in SPM. Carbon preference index (CPI) values for n- alkanes in ranges C25-33, C15-35 and C25-35 varied from 0.95 to 2.49 in SS and close to unity in SPM. The CPIs values indicated multiple n-alkanes sources (petrogenic and natural). PAHs isomer pairs ratios indicated multiple (petrogenic and pyrogenic) with predominance of pyrogenic PAH sources. Analysis of the possible source of PAHs and n- alkanes indicated a complicated, combined PAHs and n-alkanes source in the Langat River

Distribution and pollution level of nickel and vanadium in sediments from south part of the Caspian Sea, Iran

765-771Distribution and pollution level of nickel and vanadium in sediment from south part of the Caspian Sea, north of Iran, were studied. Sediment samples obtained by Van Veen Grab from four stations, including, Turkaman, Amirabad, Fereydunkenar and Noushahr along the south part of the Caspian Sea, during fall of 2015 and april, summer and winter of 2016. The concentrations of metal were ranged from 21.63 µg/g to 55.45 µg/g for nickel and from 58.23 µg/g to 146.27 µg/g for vanadium in sediments samples collected from all stations. There was significant difference in metals concentration between different stations along the Caspian Sea (P < 0.05), and the highest mean concentration of metals was absorbed in Fereydunkenar estuary, followed by Amirabad, Turkaman and Noushahr, respectively. The results showed that there were significant differences between metals pollution during four seasons (P < 0.05), and the highest concentration of metals were absorbed in dry season (summer) and the lowest concentration in wet season (winter). There was a positive correlation between nickel and vanadium concentration in sediment samples, and the Pearson correlation was (r = 0.67) between nickel and vanadium in sediment samples. The positive correlation between heavy metals can be related to same source of both metals in the environment. Based on our results, anthropogenic activities such as oil industry and agriculture activities are the main sources of pollution in the coasts along south part of Caspian Sea

Vertical distribution of heavy metals and enrichment in the South China Sea sediment cores.

Forty seven sediment cores recovered from the South China Sea coasts along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analysed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The results indicate a homogeneous distribution except for As and Pb in all stations. Assessment of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments requires knowledge of pre-anthropogenic metal concentrations to act as a reference against which measured values can be compared. Primitive values for the cored sediments were determined from shale average metal. Various methods for calculating metal enrichment and contamination factors are reviewed in detail and a modified and more robust version of the procedure for calculating the degree of contamination is proposed. The revised procedure allows the incorporation of a flexible range of pollutants, including various organic species, and the degree of contamination is expressed as an average ratio rather than an absolute summation number. Comparative data for normalized enrichment factors and the modified degree of contamination show that the South China Sea sediments are in uncontaminated to moderately contaminated level of heavy metal contamination. Compared to obtained values the Kelantan and Pahang big rivers mouth show higher enrichment averaged across other sites

Characterization of perylene in tropical environment : comparison of new and old fungus comb for identifying perylene precursor in Macrotermes gilvus termite nests of Peninsular Malaysia.

This is the first record on the distribution of perylene in new and old fungus combs of termite nest (Macrotermes gilvus) in order to determine perylene source in tropical environment. Twenty four samples of new and old fungus combs, inner and outer nest walls, fresh and decomposed bark, decomposed stem, soil, and soil-wood interface were collected in order to test of two hypotheses; i) Perylene is produced in the termite’s hindgut (M. gilvus) and ii) Perylene is present only in new fungus comb of M. gilvus termite nests. For one Station (Station A) the profile of perylene concentration was the following order: fungus comb > outer nest wall ≥ Soil-Wood interface ≥ decomposed stem ≥ decomposed bark ≥ Inner nest wall > Soil. For the other Station (i.e. B) the profile was new fungus comb > inner nest wall > old fungus comb ≥ outer nest wall ~ Soil. The perylene concentration was found up to 21-54 times higher in fungus comb as compare to the rest of the samples in Station A. whereas, the perylene concentration was 85-400 times higher in new fungus comb as compare to the remaining samples in Station B, this can be due to the production or accumulation of perylene in these nests. On the other hand, smaller termite nests (Stations C and E) no perylene was detected, due to the fact that the new fungus comb was not found in those nests. The results confirmed the following hypotheses; perylene occurs only in new fungus comb and may be attributed to the high concentrations of aromatic rings of lignin in new fungus comb

Vertical distribution and source identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in anoxic sediment cores of Chini Lake, Malaysia: perylene as indicator of land plant-derived hydrocarbons.

Four anoxic sediment cores were collected from Chini Lake, Malaysia in order to investigate the variability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and perylene concentrations. The study also determined significant differences of perylene concentrations in different sediment layers. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 248 to 8098 ng g−1 in the samples. Diagnostic PAH ratios such as methylphenanthrenes/phenanthrene (MP/P), phenanthrene/anthracene (P/A) and fluoranthene/(fluoranthene + pyrene) (Fl/(Fl + Py) revealed a dominance of pyrogenic influences and partial petrogenic inputs to the top sediment layers. Perylene concentrations were high in the top layers (12 cm). The average perylene concentrations accounted for 26–50% (0–12 cm) and 50–77% (12–36 cm) of pentacyclic-aromatic hydrocarbon isomers (PAI) present whereas it made up 10–34% (0–12 cm) and 46–66% (12–36 cm) of the total PAH. The average pyrene concentrations decreased with increasing depth and accounted for 62% (0–3 cm), 20–23% (3–12 cm) and 3–1.4% (12–36 cm) of perylene present. The results of hierarchical cluster analysis based on these ratios suggested different input sources for the top and bottom layers. It is concluded that the activity of termites on woody plants produced perylene which is supplied to the lake by run-off from the heavy and frequent rains in this Asian tropical climate. In addition, there was also in situ formation of perylene in the bottom layers due to diagenetic processes

Metal concentrations in selected tissues and main prey species of the annulated sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus) in the Hara Protected Area, northeastern coast of the Persian Gulf, Iran.

This study is the first detailed ecotoxicological study of the annulated sea snake, Hydrophis cyanocinctus. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, nickel and vanadium were evaluated in muscle, liver, kidney, skin and blood of the annulated sea snake (H. cyanocinctus) and in the whole bodies of its main prey species (Periophthalmus waltoni and Boleophthalmus dussumieri) in the Hara Protected Area, the Persian Gulf. The mean concentrations of lead and vanadium were highest in the kidney, which identified the kidney as a target organ for metals in sea snakes as it is in other reptilian groups. Mean concentrations of cadmium and nickel were highest in the liver and skin, respectively. Mean cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in the liver compared to prey species, which indicated that prey items may be a source of cadmium for the annulated sea snake in the study area. Data presented here may be considered as a baseline for further ecotoxicological studies in sea snakes