Pembelajaran Pengelolaan Terumbu Karang di Sekitar Lokasi Pengeboran Minyak dan Gas Lapangan Tiaka, Tomori Sulawesi Tengah

Offshore oil drilling creates impacts to marine ecosystem, not only to the lives in the water column but also tobenthic organisms. Coral reefs is one indicator that is prone to physical and chemical impacts of oil drilling. AJoint Operating Body, Pertamina-Medco E&P Tomori Sulawesi (JOB PTMS) has been operating since2005/2006 in the vicinity of Gusung Tiaka, Morowalu Utara, Central Sulawesi. JOB PTMS has a commitmentand responsibility to the sustainability coral reefs in the vicinity of drilling. Until recently, coral reefmanagement activities conducted were, coral reefs monitoring and restoring (using transplantation method) aswell as cleaning up from predator Acanthaster plancii. Coral reefs monitoring runs periodically in 2008-2014 in6 points of control. The coral reefs were in bad to good conditions, with mortality index 0.16-0.72 (scale 0-1).Coral reefs damaged was resulted from many factors namely, illegal fishing and predator Acanthaster planciiwith abundance of less than 30 individuals/hectare. Coral fish diversity index was 4,74-6.06. Coraltransplantation was moderate, not only the coral growth but also nekton (fish) recruitment with high number inthe vicinity of the transplantations. Coral reef management nearby drilling area has been running gradually, aswell as developing relevant programs with environment responsibility in the vicinity of Blok Tiaka, NorthMorowali

Spatial estimation of average daily precipitation using multiple linear regression by using topographic and wind speed variables in tropical climate

Complex topography and wind characteristics play important roles in rising air masses and in daily spatial distribution of the precipitations in complex region. As a result, its spatial discontinuity and behaviour in complex areas can affect the spatial distribution of precipitation. In this work, a two-fold concept was used to consider both spatial discontinuity and topographic and wind speed in average daily spatial precipitation estimation using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) in tropical climates. First, wet and dry days were identified by the two methods. Then the two models based on MLR (Model 1 and Model 2) were applied on wet days to estimate the precipitation using selected predictor variables. The models were applied for month wise, season wise and year wise daily averages separately during the study period. The study reveals that, Model 1 has been found to be the best in terms of categorical statistics, R2 values, bias and special distribution patterns. However, it was found that sets of different predictor variables dominates in different months, seasons and years. Furthermore, necessities of other data for further enhancement of the results were suggested

Bionanocomposite based on cellulose nanowhisker from oil palm biomass-filled poly(lactic acid)

Cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) extracted from plant fibers exhibit remarkable properties that make them suitable for use in the development of bionanocomposites. CNW have demonstrated the capability to enhance the properties of a polymer matrix at low filler loading. In this study, poly (lactic acid) (PLA) bionanocomposites were prepared using the solution casting technique, by incorporating the PLA with the CNW obtained from an oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no significant changes in the PLA peak positions, which indicates that incorporating the CNW into the PLA did not result in any significant changes in the chemical structure of the PLA. Thermogravimetric analysis, on the other hand, revealed that the bionanocomposites (PLA-CNW) had better thermal stability than the pure PLA. The tensile strength of PLA-CNW increased by 84% with the addition of 3 parts of CNW per hundred resins (phr), and decreased thereafter. Moreover, a linear relationship was observed between the Young's modulus and CNW loading. Elongation at break, however, decreased with the addition of 1-phr CNW, and remained constant with further addition. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that agglomeration of CNW occurred at 5-phr loading, consistent with the tensile strength results. Overall, the CNW obtained from OPEFB can enhance the tensile and the thermal properties of bionanocomposites

Isolation and characterization of cellulosenanofibers from Gigantocholoa scortechinii as a reinforcement material

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were isolated from Gigantochloa scortechinii bamboo fibers using sulphuric acid hydrolysis. This method was compared with pulping and bleaching process for bamboo fiber. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to determine the properties of CNF. Structural analysis by FT-IR showed that lignin and hemicelluloses were effectively removed from pulp, bleached fibers, and CNF. It was found that CNF exhibited uniform and smooth morphological structures, with fiber diameter ranges from 5 to 10 nm. The percentage of crystallinity was significantly increased from raw fibers to cellulose nanofibers, microfibrillated, along with significant improvement in thermal stability. Further, obtained CNF were used as reinforcement material in epoxy based nanocomposites where tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of nanocomposites improved with the addition of CNF loading concentration ranges from 0 to 0.7%

Bicycle lane planning: a site appraisal in Fukuoka, Japan

Cycling is one of the most sustainable modes to commute from one place to another. However, not everyone views bicycles as a fundamental component of the overall transportation system because presently, societies are heavily reliant on private vehicles. In reality, most see it only as a tool for recreational and exercise purposes. This paper seeks to identify the planning and design of bicycle lanes in Fukuoka, Japan. The research applies the site appraisal technique which involves gathering information about comparable site values within four areas i) Hakata station, ii) Ohori Park and Nishi Park, iii) Island city and iv) Fukuoka residential area. The findings identified various policies, guidelines and designs for bicycle infrastructure in Japan. There are significant differences between bicycle road, bicycle lane and sidewalks in Japan and Malaysia. Some of the findings show that Japan is gearing towards an even more bicycle friendly environment with the promulgation of the Promotion of Bicycle Use Act. However, there are also some setbacks such as the ineffectiveness of colored lanes to differentiate between bicycle lanes and pedestrian or vehicle lanes. Malaysia needs a blueprint and guidelines at the state and local levels to designate bicycle lanes and guarantee users’ safety and enjoyment. A specific unit for cycling in transportation related agencies is proposed to make Malaysia a bicycle-friendly city

Bicycle lane planning : a site appraisal in Fukuoka, Japan

Cycling is one of the most sustainable modes to commute from one place to another. However, not everyone views bicycles as a fundamental component of the overall transportation system because presently, societies are heavily reliant on private vehicles. In reality, most see it only as a tool for recreational and exercise purposes. This paper seeks to identify the planning and design of bicycle lanes in Fukuoka, Japan. The research applies the site appraisal technique which involves gathering information about comparable site values within four areas i) Hakata station, ii) Ohori Park and Nishi Park, iii) Island city and iv) Fukuoka residential area. The findings identified various policies, guidelines and designs for bicycle infrastructure in Japan. There are significant differences between bicycle road, bicycle lane and sidewalks in Japan and Malaysia. Some of the findings show that Japan is gearing towards an even more bicycle friendly environment with the promulgation of the Promotion of Bicycle Use Act. However, there are also some setbacks such as the ineffectiveness of colored lanes to differentiate between bicycle lanes and pedestrian or vehicle lanes. Malaysia needs a blueprint and guidelines at the state and local levels to designate bicycle lanes and guarantee users’ safety and enjoyment. A specific unit for cycling in transportation related agencies is proposed to make Malaysia a bicycle-friendly city