Study On Physicochemical Parameters And Distribution Of Phytoplankton In Kuantan Estuary, Pahang

A study on physicochemical parameters and distribution of phytoplankton communities was carried out at Kuantan estuary, Pahang, Malaysia. The study was carried out in September, 2011 and November, 2011 to determine the spatial distribution of phytoplankton from three different stations during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. The phytoplankton and water quality were analyzed using standard method outlines by APHA, 1998. The temperature recorded was between 27.29 oC to 29.33 oC, pH was from 6.96 to 8.24, conductivity range from 33.50mS/cm to 47.85mS/cm, dissolved oxygen ranged was from 4.25 mg/L to 5.84 mg/L, biochemical oxygen demand was from 3.37 mg/L to 1.60 mg/L, salinity range from 21.01 ppt to 30.72 ppt, total dissolved solids range from 21.80 g/L to 31.60 g/L and total suspended solids range from 0.024 to 0.044. The nitrite concentration was range from 0.078 mg/L to 0.088 mg/L during monsoon while in the pre-monsoon seasons the range was from 0.018 mg/L to 0.025 mg/L. Similarly, ammonium concentration was from 0.3056 mg/L to 0.0670 mg/L. The phosphorus content was range from 0.0110 mg/L to 0.0897 mg/L. The pre-monsoon season phytoplankton (1466 Cells/L) was found to be higher than the monsoon season phytoplankton (644 Cells/L)

Vertical variation of lead, copper and manganese in core sediments collected from Tanjung Lumpur mangrove Forest, Pahang, Malaysia

Two core sediment samples collected from Tanjung Lumpur mangrove forest were analysed for lead, copper and manganese using the sensitive Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Mn in core samples were 36.28±7.04 μg/g dry weights, 50.17±5.84 μg/g dry weights, and 110.41±14.48 μg/g dry weights, respectively. From the calculated enrichment factors (EF), only Mn was considered to be predominantly terrigeneous in origin, while Pb and Cu have slightly higher EF values which were related to anthropogenic input

Development of Suspended Particulate Matter Empirical Equation for Tropics Estuary from Landsat ETM+ Data

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) essentially related to the total scattering of particles in the water column. It plays the role as a transport medium for pollutants, total load of organic and inorganic substance in the water phase. In this study, we have developed empirical relationship based on a strong relationship between Landsat near infrared (NIR) band and archived SPM data. The following were the power equations: SPM NE (mg/l) = 11.68x0.666 SPM SW (mg/l) = 18.61x0.493 where, x (TM4) is radiance of ETM+ NIR band 4 was developed under tropical atmospheric conditions. Using the above equation, the SPM concentration for Northeast and Southwest monsoon in the Pahang River estuary as a case study was determined. The mean SPM concentration and mean reflectance value during Northeast monsoon were 131.69 mg/l and 0.135 mg/l. The mean SPM concentration value and reflectance were 95.94 mg/l and 0.078 mg/l during the Southwest monsoon. Generally, from remote sensing archive data and above equations, the SPM concentrations of Pahang River were successfully determined from 1999 to 2012

Development of Suspended Particulate Matter Empirical Equation for Tropics Estuary from Landsat ETM+ Data

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) essentially related to the total scattering of particles in the water column. It plays the role as a transport medium for pollutants, total load of organic and inorganic substance in the water phase. In this study, we have developed empirical relationship based on a strong relationship between Landsat near infrared (NIR) band and archived SPM data. The following were the power equations: SPM NE (mg/l) = 11.68x0.666 SPM SW (mg/l) = 18.61x0.493 where, x (TM4) is radiance of ETM+ NIR band 4 was developed under tropical atmospheric conditions. Using the above equation, the SPM concentration for Northeast and Southwest monsoon in the Pahang River estuary as a case study was determined. The mean SPM concentration and mean reflectance value during Northeast monsoon were 131.69 mg/l and 0.135 mg/l. The mean SPM concentration value and reflectance were 95.94 mg/l and 0.078 mg/l during the Southwest monsoon. Generally, from remote sensing archive data and above equations, the SPM concentrations of Pahang River were successfully determined from 1999 to 2012

Australian, Malaysian and Indonesian Accounting Academics' Teaching Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study analyses and presents accounting academics' experiences in six universities in Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia to adapt to the swift change to the remote virtual classroom delivery model forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also gaining valuable lessons from this unique situation. In this study, autoethnography's basic principles were used. The main results suggest that the universities' combined current information and communication technologies, learning management systems, blended learning experiences, training, and supports, although not without hitches, were able to accommodate the shift to a remote virtual classroom model quite effectively. However, the move to fully online assessment has been conceded to likely increase the embedded risk of student cheating. The availability of reliable internet connection for students is also crucial in ensuring access equality and effective remote virtual classroom delivery

The distribution and characteristics of bacteria in recreational river water of a community resort in Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Enterobacteriaceae is a large family within the Gram-negative bacteria that primarily inhabits in the gastrointestinal tract of human and animals. The bacteria within this group are readily survived in the environment with some species found living free in the water where energy sources are scarce, making them ideal indicators for faecal contamination of the river water. Some species within the family have been used as indicator for the presence of pathogenic bacteria whilst on the other hand some species have been directly associated with various diseases in human and animals. The main aim of this research study was to determine the distribution and characteristics of the Enterobacteriaceae in water samples collected from river and waterfalls within a community resort. The health risk associated with the bacteria was analysed with regard to their susceptibility to antibiotics. Samples were collected from surface water and water falling down directly from waterfalls of river within the community resort. The samples collected were plated onto Eosine Methylene Blue agar (EMBA) for the isolation of the Enterobacteriaceae. Bacterial colonies growing on the agar were randomly picked, purified, stocked and then identified using API 20E identification kit. DNA fingerprinting using (GTG)5-PCR was utilised to determine their genetic profiles before the isolates were grouped into a dendrogram using RAPDistance software package. The level of antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria isolates was analysed using disc diffusion technique. This study confirmed the presence of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Pantoea and Serratia in the water samples with their single and multiple antibiotic resistance and susceptible characteristics. The dendrogram presented in this study shows genetic similarities and differences among the strains, suggesting while there is a potential for single distribution of a clone, there is also possibility of the distribution of different strains within species in the water environment. Therefore, awareness on the potential risk associated with genetically diverse intermediate and resistant enteric bacteria in the recreational water should be communicated to the public especially communities within the study area