Effect of COVID-19 Movement Control Order Policy on water quality changes in Sungai Langat, Selangor, Malaysia within distinct land use areas

For the first time in the 21st century, many nations have been forced to conduct a lockdown that restricts their industrial, transportation, and social activities to avoid the extensive COVID-19 spread. Therefore, our study aimed to analyze the status of water quality that was measured by suspended particulate matter (SPM) in Sungai Langat, Selangor, Malaysia using the remote sensing technique. The study was concerned with rivers located in distinct land-use areas such as high-density urban, low-density urban, and agricultural areas. The study period included before and after movement control order (MCO) periods that occurred in February 2020 and February 2021, respectively. The SPM levels in each period were calculated using the remote sensing technique through Landsat-8 OLI images then they were analyzed using statistical analysis. The results of the remote sensing technique showed the highest decrease of SPM levels during the MCO period was observed in Sungai Langat within a high-density urban area (34.1%). Then, the SPM levels in all Sungai Langat raised significantly after the MCO period with the highest change at 31.6%. Rainfall and erosion factors had a significant impact on the SPM level through natural processes but the COVID-19 restriction had a direct impact on the SPM level due to the restriction of industrial and social activities. The suspended activities have made the lower emission compared with before the COVID-19 period in 2019

Effects of Single and Consortia Inoculants on the Biodegradation Efficiency of Crude Oil in Seawater

A bioremediation study was undertaken to assess the biodegradation efficiency of crude oil in seawater using two locally isolated strains namely Candida tropicalis RETL-Cr1 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa BAS-Cr1. The inoculation was carried out using single strains labelled as T1; Candida tropicalis RETL-Cr1, T2; single strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa BAS-Cr1 and T3; mixture of both cultures respectively. The biodegradation capability of each strain was examined in a shakeflask culture at 30˚C, agitated at 200 rpm for 28 days. The growth profile was monitored by measuring the optical density (OD600) using spectrophotometry. The biodegradation efficiency of crude oil was quantified by comparing the initial and final crude oil concentrations, whereas the degradation of selected aliphatic hydrocarbons was quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) by comparing the initial and final area in chromatograms. The present finding showed that in 5% (v/v) of crude oil, consortia cultures had the highest degradation, with 50%, while single cultures of C. tropicalis RETL-Cr1 and P. aeruginosa BAS-Cr1 achieved 39% and 27%, respectively. The results of biodegradation showed that consortia cultures experienced 1.3- fold higher compared to a single culture of C. tropicalis RETL-Cr1 and 2-fold higher compared to a single culture of P. aeruginosa BAS-Cr1. Based on GC-MS analysis, the aliphatic hydrocarbons were found degraded through the treatment with the highest degradation recorded in consortia cultures: octadecane (73.93%) > eicosane (73.23%) > nonadecane (70.43) > docosane (67.64%) > heptadecane (66.36%) > heneicosane (65.94%) > tricosane (62.28%). From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the potency of microbes as excellent hydrocarbon degraders is as follows: consortia (mixed of two species) > C. tropicalis RETL-Cr1> P. aeruginosa BAS-Cr1. This supports the idea that microbial communities, especially in mixtures, have the ability to degrade hydrocarbon contaminants more effectively and can be environmentally friendly due to their specific ability to metabolize hydrocarbons

The potential of pistia stratiotes in the phytoremediation of selected heavy metals from simulated wastewater

The pollution of heavy metals in aquatic environments is a major concern for human beings. The present study demonstrates the phytoremediation potential of the aquatic macrophyte Pistia stratiotes for removal of Cr, Pb and Ni from simulated wastewater. Pistia stratiotes was grown in Faculty of Science & Natural Resources (FSNR) lake water and spiked with different concentrations of heavy metals at 1 mg/L, 2 mg/L and 3 mg/L of Cr, Pb and Ni, respectively. The experiment was conducted within a 14-day period in laboratory conditions. The study investigated the percentage of removal of heavy metals by P. stratiotes as well as determining the distribution of heavy metal patterns in plant tissues, the bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF) and relative treatment efficiency index (RTEI). The results showed that P. stratiotes is efficient in removing single Pb at 1 mg/L and 3 mg/L and single Cr at 1 mg/L, with a removal efficiency of 99.31%, 79.86% and 76.25%, respectively. It was found that P. stratiotes managed to concentrate Pb in its roots up to 15,000 mg/kg in plant tissue. Data on bioconcentration factor (BCF) showed that P. stratiotes managed to reach BCF values over 6,000 each for single chromium at 2 mg/L and lead at both 2 mg/L and 3 mg/L. It was found that the plant can consistently translocate nickel from the roots to the shoots, while chromium and lead tend to concentrate in the root tissues. The results revealed that P. stratiotes uses rhizofiltration as its phytoremediation uptake mechanism. This study helps significantly to increase knowledge regarding the potential of P. stratiotes in the phytoremediation of heavy metal-polluted wastewater

Trace Elements Uptake in Brassica rapa chinensis Cultivated in Ultrabasic (Oxisol) and Ultisol Soils, North Borneo

The study aims to investigate the soil physico-chemical properties and trace elements uptake of Brassica rapa chinensis plants cultivated in ultrabasic (oxisol) and ultisoil soil of Ranau, North Borneo, Malaysia by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). This study can contribute to propose a more sustainable soil management practice. All selected trace elements bioavailability in ultrabasic soil was significantly higher than ultisols except for Ca and Cd. There was no significant amount of difference in soil pH (slightly acidic) and electrical conductivity (slightly saline) between these soil types. However, a significant amount of difference between the percentage of soil moisture and organic matter between ultrabasic and ultisol soils was observed. These might contribute to the uptake of elements into the studied plant. The B. rapa chinensis is a hyperaccumulator of Cd and Pb for both type of soils. The B. rapa chinensis is an accumulator of As when grown in ultrabasic soil, while an accumulator of Co when grown in ultisol soil. Although Pb was not detected in ultisol soil as compared to ultrabasic soil, the concentration of Pb in plants cultivated in ultisol soil had exceeded the maximum permissible limit of Malaysia Food Regulation 1985. Soil amendment in frequently use agriculture sites needs to be conducted such as the addition of organic matter to reduce transfers of trace elements from soil to plants that can pose toxicity risk

Physico-chemical properties, carbon dioxide emissions and carbon stock in peat soil used for turmeric cultivation at Kuala Langat Selatan, Selangor, Malaysia

Measurement of carbon dioxide emissions in peat soil was done in a turmeric cultivation area on August 2009 and January 2010 at Kampung Tumbuk Darat, Kuala Langat Selatan, Selangor. The objective of this research was to determine the quantity of CO2 emissions from peat soil as well as the carbon stock that is stored in the peat soil. Other parameters that were investigated included soil pH, soil temperature, soil bulk density, soil organic carbon, soil fresh water content, organic matter, humic acid and fulvic acid content. A total of 30 carbon dioxide emission sampling points in rectangular grid arrangement was prepared in a survey plot of 1 hectare. The survey plot was further divided into sub-plots of size 20 m x 25 m. Soil samples were randomly taken at the depth of 0-15 cm to 50-65 cm using an auger. Sampling of CO2 emissions was done using the static alkali absorption method (Kirita Method). The organic carbon content was determined using the Walkley-Black method, while the humic and fulvic acid content was determined using the basic molecule isolation method. Other soil properties were determined using standard methods of determination. The surface temperature of peat soil was between 28oC and 30oC. The bulk density of the area was as low as 0.20 g cm-3. On the other hand, the soil fresh water content, soil organic matter, and peat soil humic acid was very high. The minimum quantity of CO2 emissions in the peat soil on August 2009 and January 2010 was 40.92±21.62 t CO2 ha-1 yr -1 (467.10±246.86 mg CO2 m-2 hr-1) and 41.51±13.41 t CO2 ha-1 yr -1 (473.86±153.12 mg CO2 m-2 hr -1), respectively. Carbon stock for the month of August 2009 and January 2010, respectively was 297.70 t ha-1 and 456.60 t ha-1. T test showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences in many of the soil parameters such as the pH, water content and organic carbon. Correlation analysis showed that CO2 is influenced by the organic matter, water content and temperature

Potential of Wild Fungi (Amanita princeps & Tylopilus felleus) in Mycoremediation of Selected Heavy Metals in Soil

This study was conducted to determine the potential of wild fungi, namely Amanita princeps and Tylopilus felleus in mycoremediation of selected heavy metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead and Zinc) in soil. The wild fungi were collected in two different location which are at Sabah Agricultural Park, Lagud Seberang, Tenom and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) peak, respectively. The classification of fungi species and its characteristics was done by identifying their morphology and habitat. The uptake and distribution of heavy metals in their parts (root, stem and cap) were determined using ICP-OES instrument. The samples were digested using an acid digestion method; mixture of nitric acid (HNO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 ) and hydrochloric acid (HCL). The result shows that the uptakes of heavy metal by both Amanita princeps and Tylopilus felleus in all plant parts were highest by Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb respectively. Study on phytoremediation mechanism shows that the enrichment factor (EF) for both fungi was recorded below 1 (EF1) on both species while Cu recorded high (TF>1) in Amanita princeps. The results also show that the TF value for most heavy metals are below 1 (TF<1), which suggested as both plants used as phytostabilization mechanism in reduction of bioavailability of heavy metals in soil

Heavy metals bioavailability under aerobic and anaerobic condition in soil and Bubut rice plant cultivated at Crocker range, Borneo (Malaysia)

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rice that can pose health risk is a grave concern as more than half of world populations are rice consumers. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in rice grain depends on the heavy metal bioavailability in the medium that provide nutrient sources to plant. Throughout paddy life-cycle from seed germination to development of mature seeds, paddy plants cultivated in flooded field are exposed to alternating anaerobic condition and aerobic condition. The aim of this study is to assess whether these two different paddy field conditions influence heavy metal bioavailability in soil and heavy metal accumulation in Bubut paddy plants cultivated at highland of West Coast Sabah, Malaysia. Heavy metal uptake characteristic of Bubut paddy in different part (root, straw and grain) were also determined for baseline data that can be used for selective breeding or Phyto mining. Bubut paddy plants were uprooted together with soil that were collected randomly at 3 months old age (reducing (anaerobic) condition) and harvest season (oxidizing (aerobic) condition) for heavy metal analysis by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Higher bioavailability of heavy metal at oxidizing condition in soil and Bubut paddy plant were observed compared to reducing condition. Bubut paddy was found to be a potential candidate for Cr, Ni and Zn phytoextraction. Heavy metal concentration in Bubut rice grain is below the maximum permissible limit of Malaysia Food Regulation 1985 (MFR 1985). A comprehensive water irrigation management plan is required to strategically develop at West Coast Sabah to reduce bioavailability of toxic heavy metals and reduce heavy metals toxicity risk in rice consumption

Valorization of rare earth processing byproducts for agriculture usage

Sandy texture soil, a major problem for agriculture requires structure and capacity improvements. However, utilization of soil conditioner may arrest this problem. This research was carried out to investigate the accumulated levels of metal ions and radionuclides in water, soil and plants following phosphogypsum organic (PG organic) added to a sandy soil for 23-month in 3 cropping seasons. The condition in the field was simulated in the laboratory using an open leaching column for 30-day under constant but different pH of leachant. More ions were released at pH 5.6. The metal ions measured in the surface and borehole water, and soils were below the target values for respective standard raw drinking water. The metal ions did not accumulate in soil, plant and grain, and water as indicated by biological accumulation coefficients, contamination factors, I-geo index and pollution load index in a sandy soil that received the PG organic. Naturally occurring radionuclide concentrations, such as 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K, in soil and plant tissue were found to be lower than the average value reported by several earlier studies. Under field condition the pH of water (i.e., rainfall) was greater than pH 5.6, thus renders PG organic became less soluble. There was no leaching of natural occurring radionuclides to the groundwater. Therefore, the application of PG organic to the studied soil had no impact on the soil, plants, and water and suitable as a soil conditioner in sandy texture soils