Ammonia Reflections on Unmodified Seaweed, Euchuema Sp. as Biosorbent of Wastewater

In wastewater, the high concentration of ammonia nitrogen that exceeds the standard effluent can give detrimental effects to the environment such as eutrophication. The conventional method for ammonia nitrogen removal often requires high cost. The main objective of this paper is to reduce the ammonia nitrogen level in wastewater effluent for fulfill the compliance in Environmental Quality Act (1974). Biosorption method was used as the ammonia nitrogen removal by using seaweed, Euchuema sp. Batch study was conducted by optimizing the biosorbent dosage and pH in wastewater samples. The seaweed from Eucheuma sp. which is a marine algae species was used as a biosorbent. The effectiveness of ammonia nitrogen ammonia removal was tested with different dosage of Euchuema sp., with 0.1 g, 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g, and 0.5 g. The optimisation study shows the satisfactory effective for the biosorbent dosage at 0.3 g and pH 6 with removal of 49.1% of ammonia nitrogen. Therefore, it is deduced that Euchuema sp. has a potential as biosorbent but further treatment is needed to secure highest removal of ammonia nitrogen. Thus, it is shows that the wastewater effluent is safelytreated and can be discharged to the nearest river directly and will not be harmful towards the environment, human being and aquatic life

Brownification Effects from Surface Water Sources to Intelligent Rainwater Harvesting System

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) system has gained recognition as a sustainable means to cope with water crisis in the future. This study was to evaluate RWH system in Tun Dr Ismail (TDI) College, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). Since being launched at 2007, the system emerged needing of improvisation due to rusty water and incomplete system installed. Main focused was on system effectiveness to supply non-potable water (toilet flushing) and brownification factors. Three samples were collected to analyse its concentration of iron (Fe) and pH. Rainfall data from Research Centre of Soft Soil Malaysia (RECESS), UTHM and Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (DID) used to estimate capacity effectiveness of the system. Result indicated Fe does contribute to brownification process. 20 feet pipe had highest concentration of Fe at 2.25 mg/l, while a projection at week 8 could reach until 3.25 mg/l. Growth of Fe over time would cause harm to residents. As for capacity, RWH system could cover 20 days toilet usage and save up to minimum 840 MYR monthly bills, which showed great potential to be considered as alternative water supply

Drainage System In Flat Area Using Groundwater Recharge Well In Solving Flooding Problem

Sri Gading di Johor menghadapi masalah berkaitan air yang disebabkan oleh limpahan air permukaan di kawasan yang rata dan kelemahan penyaliran air semasa musim tengkujuh. Kadar penyusupan tanah yang rendah di Sri Gading disebabkan oleh kebolehtelapan saiz zarah halus yang perlahan yang dikenalpasti sebagai tanah liat berkelodak. Sri Gading in Johor faces water related problems that are caused by excessive surface runoff floods the low areas and ineffective drainage system during wet season. The low infiltration rate of the soil in Sri Gading is caused by low permeability of fine-grained sizes of silty clay

Assessment of water demand from urban and rural area in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Population growth and inefficient water supply management are the main factors that cause treated water supply to not function properly. This problem has been faced in the state of Kelantan for many years and until now this problem is still faced by the local community, especially in the district of Kota Bharu. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the rate of water demand from urban and rural areas and the cost-effective of water distributed in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A total of 50 respondents provided feedback through this survey questionnaire. The results showed that a large number of residents from urban areas use treated water (100 %) provided by Air Kelantan Sendiri Berhad (AKSB) while rural areas still use treated water (62 %) and also other alternative sources such as groundwater (38 %). Statistical tests found 0.05 were analyzed to determine the relationship between per capita demand for urban and rural areas and costs paid. With the study done, it can be proved that the use of groundwater is high because the bills charged are very cheap and affordable. The implications of this work on water demand could contribute to AKSB providing adequate water and gradually meet better water standards

Sustainability practices for groundwater treatment to remove chloride and sulphate

Groundwater is an alternative source of water for human consumption. Groundwater at RECESS, UTHM is one of the water sources that available to be used by UTHM resident. Unfortunately, it has a high content of chloride and sulphate concentrations in which originated from the mineral content in the ground. This chapter was conducted to review the effectiveness of the Nature Groundwater Eco-Treatment (N-GET) system that has been designed at RECESS in removing chloride and sulphate concentrations as well as pH and turbidity parameters. N-GET system is a natural treatment process without mixing any substances intended to improve the groundwater quality. This system uses two treatment tanks which are sedimentation tank, aeration tank and three sets of filters which were activated carbon filter, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) filter and ceramic filter. The chloride and sulphate parameters effectively removed by using a combination with aeration and sedimentation process and use any ceramic filtration in the market. It was performed more than 80 % than others by reducing all concentrations. Therefore, groundwater process by using any filters is the final stage and best practice to remove any concentrations safely

An Aquifer Reflections on Deep Clay Conditions for Water Quantity Assessments

This study aims to evaluate the on-site testing of deep clay area through the well response and aquifer reflection analysis. The analysis was conducted using AQTESOLV software on pumping and recovery data to determine the well responses and aquifer characteristics of deep clay area. A simple experimental model was installed at the site using deep well of REWES (Recharge Well System) model assists with four monitoring wells around the model. The monitoring wells were located at 4m, 10m, 20m and 35m from the model. The site has been identified identified to have the unconfined aquifer with deep compacted clay. Due to flatten and low flow, pumping analysis and ground water response were used to evaluate water quantity and potential prospective of circulate water cycle for urban stormwater management. As reflection on water cycle, almost 20% from withdrawal capacity able to refill the ground system with limited space. It was found that the available storage, S and hydraulic conductivity, K  of the clayey area are 0.001 and 32 m/day respectively. Therefore, the response on water cycle indicate some potential space to restore and withdrawal at peak time and thus, the  water can be used in safely conditions.&nbsp

Trend Analysis of Tides Level and Projection Sea Level Rise On the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Globally, sea levels are rising due to climate change caused by humans. Current and future sea level rise will have a variety of effects, particularly on coastal infrastructure. This study analysed the tidal level trend and projected sea level rise along the western coast of peninsular Malaysia using tide level records collected between 1986 and 2012. The seasonal Mann-Kendall test and linear trend were used to determine the tide level trend over time and to predict sea level rise for 2050 and 2100. Based on a confidence interval of 95%, the results of the analysis indicated a rising trend at all stations. Tau values for the Mann-Kendall test range between 0.16 and 0.33, while seasonal Mann-Kendall values range between 0.18 and 0.41. Based on the sea level projection analysis, the mean sea level will rise between 8.77 cm and 14.29 cm in 2050, and between 20.44 cm and 33.20 cm in 2100. In conclusion, the sea level trend at all stations on the west coasts of peninsular Malaysia exhibits an upward trend

Reducing soak air temperature inside a car compartment using ventilation fans

This article presents an investigation on the effects of using ventilation fans on the air temperature inside a car passenger compartment when the car is parked under the sun. It was found from a measurement that the air temperature inside the passenger compartment could raise up to 48°C. Computational fluid dynamics method was used to develop model of the compartment and carry out flow simulations to predict the air temperature distribution at 1 pm for two conditions: without ventilation fans and with ventilation fans. The effects of fan location, number of fans used and fan airflow velocity were examined. Results of flow simulations show that a 17% temperature reduction was achieved when two ventilation fans with airflow velocity of 2.84 m/s were placed at the rear deck. When three fans were used, an additional 3.4% temperature reduction was attained. Placing two ventilation fans at the middle of the roof also reduced the air temperature by 17%. When four fans were used a further 4.8% temperature reduction was achieved. Increasing the airflow velocity at the four fans placed at the roof, from 2.84 m/s to 15.67 m/s, caused only a small reduction in the air temperature inside the passenger compartment

Trend Analysis of Tides Level and Projection Sea Level Rise On the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Globally, sea levels are rising due to climate change caused by humans. Current and future sea level rise will have a variety of effects, particularly on coastal infrastructure. This study analysed the tidal level trend and projected sea level rise along the western coast of peninsular Malaysia using tide level records collected between 1986 and 2012. The seasonal Mann-Kendall test and linear trend were used to determine the tide level trend over time and to predict sea level rise for 2050 and 2100. Based on a confidence interval of 95%, the results of the analysis indicated a rising trend at all stations. Tau values for the Mann-Kendall test range between 0.16 and 0.33, while seasonal Mann-Kendall values range between 0.18 and 0.41. Based on the sea level projection analysis, the mean sea level will rise between 8.77 cm and 14.29 cm in 2050, and between 20.44 cm and 33.20 cm in 2100. In conclusion, the sea level trend at all stations on the west coasts of peninsular Malaysia exhibits an upward trend

Tailoring of Narrow Pores, Pore Size Distribution and Structural Details in Asymmetric Nanofiltration Membranes via Polyvinyl-pyrrolidone Additive

The roles of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) additive in the tailoring of pores, pore size distribution, morphologies and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) in phase inversion asymmetric nanofiltration membranes was addressed. Using established solute transport method, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Minitab software, details analysis of the enhanced performance-properties of narrow pores nanofiltration membranes were verified. Experimental and analysis data revealed that the membranes prepared with 2 wt% of PVP demonstrated fine performance-properties. At this concentration, the fabricated nanofiltration membranes possessed narrow pore size and molecular weight cut-off of 1.14 nm and 2290 Da, respectively. In addition, the fabricated nanofiltration membranes displayed fine structural details of narrow pore size distribution, good morphology and critical key properties. With the combinations of thinner skin layer, fine structures and narrow pores, it can be concluded that the 2 wt% of PVP is the optimum PVP concentration to produce selective narrow pore nanofiltration membranes. Eventually, summary data on pores, pore size distributions (PSDs) and key properties proved that the PVP additive is effective for controlling performances-properties and structural details in asymmetrical based membranes