Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku Yusof

Bio: Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku Yusof is an academic researcher from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. The author has contributed to research in topics: Air quality index & Environmental science. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 17 publications receiving 59 citations. Previous affiliations of Ku Mohd Kalkausar Ku Yusof include Universiti Putra Malaysia & Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.

The evaluation on artificial neural networks (ANN) and multiple linear regressions (MLR) models over particulate matter (PM10) variability during haze and non-haze episodes: A decade case study

Abstract: The comprehensives of particulate matter studies are needed in predicting future haze occurrences in Malaysia. This paper presents the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Multiple Linear Regressions (MLR) coupled with sensitivity analysis (SA) in order to recognize the pollutant relationship status over particulate matter (PM10) in eastern region. Eight monitoring studies were used, involving 14 input parameters as independent variables including meteorological factors. In order to investigate the efficiency of ANN and MLR performance, two different weather circumstances were selected; haze and non-haze. The performance evaluation was characterized into two steps. Firstly, two models were developed based on ANN and MLR which denoted as full model, with all parameters (14 variables) were used as the input. SA was used as additional feature to rank the most contributed parameter to PM10 variations in both situations. Next, the model development was evaluated based on selected model, where only significant variables were selected as input. Three mathematical indices were introduced (R2, RMSE and SSE) to compare on both techniques. From the findings, ANN performed better in full and selected model, with both models were completely showed a significant result during hazy and non-hazy. On top of that, UVb and carbon monoxide were both variables that mutually predicted by ANN and MLR during hazy and non-hazy days, respectively. The precise predictions were required in helping any related agency to emphasize on pollutant that essentially contributed to PM10 variations, especially during haze period.

Spatial Analysis of the Air Pollutant Index in the Southern Region of Peninsular Malaysia Using Environmetric Techniques

Abstract: Air pollution is becoming a major environmental issue in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Environmetric techniques (HACA, DA, and PCA/FA) were used to evaluate the spatial variations in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia, followed by API prediction comparison using ANN and MLR models. The datasets of air pollutant parameters for 3 years (2005–2007) were applied in this study. HACA clustered three different groups of similarity based on the characteristics of air quality parameters. DA shows all seven parameters (CO, O3, PM10, SO2, NOx, NO, and NO2) gave the most significant variables after stepwise backward mode. PCA/FA identify that the major source of air pollution is due to combustion of fossil fuels in motor vehicles and industrial activities. The ANN model shows a better prediction compared to the MLR model with R2 values equal to 0.819 and 0.773 respectively. This study concluded that the environmetric techniques and modelling become an excellent tool in API assessment, air pollution source identification, apportionment, and interpretation of complex dataset with a view to get better information about the air quality, and can be setbacks in designing an API monitoring network for effective air pollution resources management.

An overview of transboundary haze studies: The underlying causes and regional disputes on Southeast Asia Region

Abstract: Air pollution is now ranked as the ninth worst scenario globally and is expected to be the most serious global issue by the year 2050. The objective of this study is to get information regarding transboundary haze phenomenon blanketing the Southeast Asia that has been happened for decades ago. Various techniques such as qualitative and quantitative techniques have been applied to get the informative input detailed out by previous researchers. The finding shows that that the smoky haze occurred in the dry season, which at this point, the activities of cleaning and ground maintenance being carried out by Indonesian farmers. Indonesia is one of the countries drastically affected by deforestation process where their forest loss is 2% yr-1 which is equal to 1.9 million ha each year. The establishment of ASEAN in 2002 would be a turning point in addressing on more reliance on prevention and cooperation than establishing a liability regime or adopting legal instruments to protect the environment. However, the reflection of so-called ‘ASEAN Way', which preferred on non-interference in other states has inhibited the reliance on strong regional efforts in executing a more effective action in order to address and combat the transboundary haze pollution in Southeast Asia.

Spatial Analysis of Groundwater Hydrochemistry through Integrated Multivariate Analysis: A Case Study in the Urbanized Langat Basin, Malaysia.

Abstract: Rapid urbanization and industrial development in the Langat Basin has disturbed the groundwater quality. The populations’ reliance on groundwater sources may induce possible risks to human health such as cancer and endocrine dysfunction. This study aims to determine the groundwater quality of an urbanized basin through 24 studied hydrochemical parameters from 45 groundwater samples obtained from 15 different sampling stations by employing integrated multivariate analysis. The abundance of the major ions was in the following order: bicarbonate (HCO3−) > chloride (Cl−) > sodium (Na+) > sulphate (SO42−) > calcium (Ca2+) > potassium (K+) > magnesium (Mg2+). Heavy metal dominance was in the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > As > Hg > Pb > Ni > Cu > Cd > Se > Sr. Classification of the groundwater facies indicated that the studied groundwater belongs to the Na-Cl with saline water type and Na-HCO3 with mix water type characteristics. The saline water type characteristics are derived from agricultural activities, while the mixed water types occur from water–rock interaction. Multivariate analysis performance suggests that industrial, agricultural, and weathering activities have contributed to groundwater contamination. The study will help in the understanding of the groundwater quality issue and serve as a reference for other basins with similar characteristics.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change

Abstract: ▶ Addresses a wide range of timely environment, economic and energy topics ▶ A forum to review, analyze and stimulate the development, testing and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies at regional, national and global scales ▶ Contributes to real-time policy analysis and development as national and international policies and agreements are discussed and promulgated ▶ 94% of authors who answered a survey reported that they would definitely publish or probably publish in the journal again

Valutazione delle risorse forestali a livello globale

Abstract: The results of the Forest Resources Assessment 2000 carried out by FAO are synthetically presented and discussed. The world forest coverage is estimated equal to 38.6 million km 2 . The comparison of the estimates from the period 1990-2000 with those from the period 1980-1990 points out a certain general deceleration of the rate of net deforestation, that currently involves around 9 million hectares every year. However, the annua1 loss of tropical forests is still very large, while temperate and borea1 forests are in expansion. Overall, FRA2000 produced a relevant effort to compensate the existing technical, institutional and financial constraints and shortcomings for monitoring the world forest resources. The need to increase the quality and the frequency of forest surveys, both at national and international levels, s t a stands as a major issue to cope with.

Air pollution and its health impacts in Malaysia: a review

Abstract: Air pollution is strongly tied to climate change. Industrialization and fossil fuel combustion are the main contributors leading to climate change, also being significant sources of air pollution. Malaysia is a developing country with a focus on industrialization. The preference of using private cars is a common practice in Malaysia, resulting in the after-effects of haze and transboundary air pollution. Hence, air pollution has become a severe issue in Malaysia in recent times. Exposure to air pollutants such as ozone and airborne particles is associated with increases in hospital admissions and mortality. For the past few years, the focus of the research is moving towards air quality and the impacts of air pollution on health in Malaysia. In this study, we establish the definition of air pollution, the motivation to study it, and its impacts and sources of air pollution and climate change. We discuss the air quality monitoring system in Malaysia and compare Malaysian ambient air quality standards with global standards. We also look comprehensively on the health impacts of air pollution globally and in the Malaysian context. We discuss where the health impact studies in Malaysia are lacking and what are the gaps in the research. The role of the Malaysian government concerning air pollution and its impacts is discussed. Lastly, we look into the future work and research opportunities with a focus on engineering, estimation, predictive models and lack of research projects.

The evaluation on artificial neural networks (ANN) and multiple linear regressions (MLR) models for predicting SO2 concentration

Abstract: Nowadays air quality is the main issue in urban areas that have been affecting human health, the environment, and the ecosystem. So, governmental authorities, environmental and health agencies usually need the prediction of daily air pollutants. This prediction is often based on statistical relations between various conditions and air pollution. This study aims to compare the performance of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Multi-layer perceptron (MLP) for predicting SO2 concentration in the air of the Tehran. Different parameters namely meteorological parameters, urban traffic data, urban green space information, and time parameters were chosen for the prediction of SO2 daily concentration. Considering result, the correlation coefficient (R2), and root means square error (RMSE) of the MLR model are 0.708, and 6.025, respectively while these values for the MLP equal 0.9 and 0.42. According to the result of sensitivity analysis, the value of the one-day time delay, park indicator, season/year, and the total area parks were the main factors influencing SO2 concentration. MLP model suggested in this research could be applied to support, analysis, and improve predicting air pollution and air quality management. This study shows the importance of modeling and application of ANN in presenting management strategies to reduce urban pollution.

Malaysia energy strategy towards sustainability: A panoramic overview of the benefits and challenges

Abstract: Sustainable energy supply is essential for actualizing Malaysia׳s vision to become a high-income country. The current power production and demand trends show that Malaysia has a reserve margin that will only last for the next few years. This calls for further investment, research and development in the country׳s power sector in order to meet the ever increasing energy demand. The government׳s diversification policy and power sector expansion plan emphasizes on the incorporation of renewable energy sources (RESs) and other less CO2 emitting sources like nuclear into the national energy mix. However, the environmental ramifications of this policy should be part of any future expansion plan of national grid. This paper presents a panoramic overview of the Malaysian energy sector, the energy policy revolution and the power sector expansion strategy towards secure sustainability. We want to bring into focus the benefits and challenges of Malaysia׳s power sector expansion plan with the aim of stimulating further discussion and research on the environmental ramifications of the plan.