Mir Sujaul Islam

Bio: Mir Sujaul Islam is an academic researcher from Universiti Malaysia Pahang. The author has contributed to research in topics: Water quality & Total suspended solids. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 34 publications receiving 215 citations. Previous affiliations of Mir Sujaul Islam include National University of Malaysia.

Spatial distribution and source apportionment of heavy metals in soils of Gebeng industrial city, Malaysia

Abstract: Heavy metal concentrations were examined in 30 soil samples from Gebeng industrial city, Malaysia using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, and direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) for Hg. Multivariate statistical techniques including hierarchical cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis and analysis of variance were used to identify the spatial distribution and potential sources of heavy metals. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in the soil samples are in decreasing order as follows: Co > Ba > Zn > As > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Hg > Cd. The Gebeng soils are characterized by high mean relative concentration of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn in the industrial zone (IZ) than the Kampung-Balok residential area (KB) and submerged area (SA), indicating inputs from industrial activities. Geochemical results suggested that Gebeng soils are primarily polluted by As, Co, Hg, Pb, and Cu subsequently derived from anthropogenic sources. PCA and CA in the heavy metals indicate both anthropogenic and natural origin. However, the geoaccumulation index and pollution load index further confirm the high contamination levels of the heavy metals in IZ and low to uncontaminated in KB and SA regions.

Hydrology, water quality and land-use assessment of Tasik Chini’s feeder rivers, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract: This study was carried out in October and December 2004, February, March and April 2005 to assess the hydrological characteristics and water quality of the seven feeder rivers of Tasik Chini, in the Malaysian state of Pahang. A total of nine sampling stations was selected in this study: namely Sg. Datang, Sg.Cenahan, Hilir Sg. Gumum, Pertengahan Sg. Gumum, Sg. Kura-kura, Sg. Melai, Hilir Kuala Merupuk, Hulu Kuala Merupuk, and Sg. Jemberau. Nine water quality parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, turbidity, Ammonical nitrogen, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate) were analyzed based on in-situ and ex-situ analyses during two season periods; and a laboratory analysis was carried out according to the HACH and APHA methods. Stream flow was determined during the sampling days with a range of 0.0042 to 0.9083 m3/sec or an average of 0.1674 m3/sec. The annual rainfall for the lake ranged from 1487.7 to 3071.4 mm. Of late, illegal logging, farming and other unsustainable development undertakings had occurred in the surrounding areas of the lake. The impact of these activities may cause some real environmental problem to the Lake Chini and adjacent are as by changing the area’s hydrological characteristics which in the long run may lead to deterioration. Keywords: environmental problem, feeder river, hydrological characteristics, Lake Chini, stream flow, water quality parameter

Water Quality Index: an Indicator of Surface Water Pollution in Eastern part of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract: Water quality deterioration in eastern part of peninsular Malaysia especially in Gebeng is the impact of anthropogenic activities due to rapid industrialization. This area is of particular importance in the study of surface water quality because; industrial and municipal wastes, agricultural and run-off from developing areas were mixing with river flow and surrounding water body thereby deteriorating the quality. The aim of the study was to assess the WQI in order to evaluate the water quality of the area for public use, irrigation and other purposes. To fulfill the objectives 240 water samples were collected for 12 months and comprehensive physico-chemical analysis was done using APHA and HACH standard methods of analysis. The WQI was calculated using DOE-WQI based on the concentration of DO, BOD, COD, SS, pH and NH3-N. Results showed the sequence of monitoring stations I4< I3< I2< B2< B3< I1< U1< B1< S2< S1based on WQI value; where the first 8 stations (river part) were categorized as class IV (highly polluted) and the last 2 were classified as class III (polluted). The lowest WQI value was 35.37 and the highest value was 57.53. It was mainly because of low concentration of DO and high concentration of BOD, COD and NH3-N due to the industrial activities. The results indicated that the surface water of the areas was highly polluted and according to the INWQS, Malaysia water of the area cannot be used except irrigation.

The potential impacts of anthropogenic and climate changes factors on surface water ecosystem deterioration at Kenyir Lake, Malaysia

Abstract: Water ecosystem deterioration can be affected by various factors of either natural environment or physical changes in the river basin. Data observation were made during dry season (April 2017) and wet season (December 2017). 21 sampling stations were selected along Kenyir Lake Basin. Overall, the water quality status as stated in NWQS is categorized as Class I on dry season and Class II on wet sea-son. The major pollutants in Kenyir Lake are Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolve Oxygen and pH which are contributed largely by untreated or partially treated sewage from tourism development and construction activities around the basin. The sedimentation problem level in the Kenyir Lake Basin is not in critically stage but the flow rate of water and land use ac-tivities (development around basin) will be contributed to the increasing levels of sedimentation. The good site management such as the implementation of proper site practice measures to control and treat run-off prior to discharge will ensure that the construction works will not affect the quality and quantity of the receiving waters or have significant impact upon the receiving waters.

Estimation of the Rate of Soil Erosion in the Tasik Chini Catchment, Malaysia using the RUSLE Model Integrated with the GIS

Abstract: The Tasik Chini Catchment, located at the southeast region of Pahang, Malaysia is experiencing soil erosion problems which are of environmental concern. So a study was conducted that involved the integration of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) with the Geographic Information System (GIS) to estimate potential soil loss and identify erosion risk areas. Values for the model on rainfall erosivity (R), topographic factors (LS), land cover (C) and management factors (P) were calculated from rainfall data, together with the use of topographic and land use maps. Soil was analyzed for obtaining the soil erodibility factor (K). Physical properties such as particle size distribution, texture, hydraulic conductivity and organic matter content (OM) were analyzed to support the erosion rate analysis. The mean soil erodibility factors varied from 0.03 to 0.30 Mg h MJ -1 mm -1 . From a total of eleven soil series studied, soil erosion results showed that the five soil series with low rate of soil loss were: Tebok, Lating, Bungor, Kekura and Gong Chenak. Two soil series with moderate soil loss were Serdang and Prang. Two soil series with moderately high rate of soil loss were Kuala Brang and Rasau. The Malacca soil series had high erosion rate. The worst-case scenario was the Kedah soil series. The soil erosion potential zones were classified into five classes namely very low, low, moderately high, high and very high soil loss. The results indicated that 71.54% of the study area lay within the very low erosion risk class, 2.94% in the low erosion risk class, 3.38% in the moderately high erosion risk class, 1.45% in the high erosion risk class and 13.25% in the very high erosion risk class. This high erosion rate is expected to generate high sediment yield influx into the water bodies of Tasik Chini making the lake shallower and perhaps even non existent in the near future if precautionary measures are not taken.

Turbidimeter Design and Analysis: A Review on Optical Fiber Sensors for the Measurement of Water Turbidity

Abstract: Turbidimeters operate based on the optical phenomena that occur when incident light through water body is scattered by the existence of foreign particles which are suspended within it. This review paper elaborates on the standards and factors that may influence the measurement of turbidity. The discussion also focuses on the optical fiber sensor technologies that have been applied within the lab and field environment and have been implemented in the measurement of water turbidity and concentration of particles. This paper also discusses and compares results from three different turbidimeter designs that use various optical components. Mohd Zubir and Bashah and Daraigan have introduced a design which has simple configurations. Omar and MatJafri, on the other hand, have established a new turbidimeter design that makes use of optical fiber cable as the light transferring medium. The application of fiber optic cable to the turbidimeter will present a flexible measurement technique, allowing measurements to be made online. Scattered light measurement through optical fiber cable requires a highly sensitive detector to interpret the scattered light signal. This has made the optical fiber system have higher sensitivity in measuring turbidity compared to the other two simple turbidimeters presented in this paper. Fiber optic sensors provide the potential for increased sensitivity over large concentration ranges. However, many challenges must be examined to develop sensors that can collect reliable turbidity measurements in situ.