Journal of Advancement in Environmental Solution and Resource Recovery
Journal of Advancement in Environmental Solution and Resource Recovery (JAESRR) is a peer review journal that publishes twice a year. This journal is an original written work of latest achievement in research and review and analysis that aid in the development and advance solution to improving environmental quality, and commercialization of resource recovery as well as effective strategies to solve the environmental problems.
Acoustic Study of Reinforced Coconut Fiber Wall Panels
Studies in acoustics began with microscopic air pressure waves that are perceptible to the human ear. In modern acoustics, structural vibrations are often taken into consideration. This paper explores a sustainable approach to reducing noise pollution in buildings by incorporating coconut fiber into reinforced wall panels. The study examines the acoustic performance of these panels, which employ coconut fiber as a partial replacement for sand. Composite materials were made by blending coconut fiber with traditional construction materials, maintaining a cement-to-sand ratio of 1:2.75 and a water-cement ratio of 0.6. The study investigates panels with 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% coconut fiber content to determine their mechanical qualities and sound absorption capacities. Different reinforcing techniques were also investigated to improve structural integrity while retaining acoustic efficiency. The process consists of material testing and acoustic measurements. The findings illustrated the viability of employing coconut fiber in building construction materials for noise reduction purposes, promote sustainable practices in the construction sector, and contribute to environmental preservation and resource efficiency. The method included ISO standard material testing and acoustic measurement, such as sound absorption coefficient and transmission loss evaluations. The study found that panels with 9% coconut fibre content produced improvement in sound absorption compared to 6%, 3% and 0% panels while maintaining appropriate mechanical strenght, indicating the potential of employing coconut fibre in construction material for noise reduction.
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Advancement in Environmental Solution and Resource Recovery https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Bentonite Clay as Effective Adsorbent in Natural Rubber Industry Wastewater Treatment
The natural rubber processing industry’s wastewater is typically highly concentrated in organic compounds, suspended solid, colour, ammonia, nitrogen and other pollutants. Any excessive amount of ammonia and nitrogen discharged, eutrophication and the death of various aquatic creatures will take place in every water bodies. The goal of this experiment was to investigate the effectiveness of bentonite as an adsorbent for removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen, and colour from natural rubber processing industry’s wastewater. The samples of wastewater from natural rubber processing industry for this study were acquired directly from the discharging point of a manufacturer in Kluang, Malaysia. The effects of optimum adsorbent pH, dosage, shaking speed, and contact time, were determined based on removal of COD, ammoniacal nitrogen and colour, where obtained result reveals that the best batch was achieved at pH 7, 4g, 150 rpm and 120 minutes respectively. For all batch of experiments, the best removal efficiency of all three aspects; COD, ammoniacal nitrogen and colour was typically found in the range of 85%. Bentonite is expected to have great potential and demand for wastewater treatment in the near future. Various challenges and potentials in using bentonite and its composites highlighted and some future prospects for Bentonite-based adsorbents are proposed.
Natural rubber wastewater, bentonite, adsorbent; cod, ammoniacal nitrogen, colour
Pineapple is a fruit that is produced in large quantities, and anaerobic digestion can convert pineapple waste into methane, a renewable energy source that is environmentally friendly. Pineapple waste is usually burned or dumped in a landfill for disposal, which causes environmental pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions. The objectives of this study are to examine the methane production from pineapple waste. In this study, the methane production at a batch scale using pineapple waste (a combination of peel and pulp) inoculated with anaerobic microbes from the biogas plant inoculum was conducted. The batch reactor was operated at an inoculum-to-substrate ratio of 0.4, and water displacement was used to measure methane production. The characterization of pineapple waste and inoculum for both total solids and volatile solids follows the APHA 2005, while chemical oxygen demand was tested by using a HACH spectrophotometer. Methane generation was observed on day one (294 ml), and production gradually decreased starting from day 2. An acidic condition is the primary reason for the decline in methane production. In conclusion, pineapple waste has shown potential to generate methane. However, the appropriate experimental setup shall be provided to produce the consistent methane production.
Anaerobic digestion, pineapple waste, agricultural waste, biochemical methane potential, methane production
Determination of Flow Rate Coefficient for Compound Weir: Trapezoidal-Rectangular Shape
Effective water resource management is vital for sustainable development and environmental resilience, with hydraulic structures such as compound weirs playing a key role in flow regulation. This study investigates the discharge coefficient, Cd and relationships between flow rate (Q), water height (H), and Cd of trapezoidal-rectangular compound weirs. Nine weir models with varying geometric configurations were tested to through controlled laboratory experiments at the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. The Bernoulli equation was applied as the primary tool to compute theoretical flow rates and discharge coefficients. The findings reveal significant variations in Cd values where coefficients of determination (R²) ranged from 0.95 to 0.99. It indicates strong relationships and high data reliability. For weirs with L? = 0.03 m and L? = 0.06 m, the average Cd values were between 0.54 and 0.63 for trapezoidal angles of 40°, 25°, and 15°, respectively. In contrast, weirs with L? = 0.05 m and L? = 0.08 m showed lower Cd values of 0.53, 0.51, and 0.47 for the same angles. This study enhances understanding of hydraulic behaviour in compound weirs and facilitates optimized design, providing significant insights for flood control, irrigation, and sustainable water management.
Analysing the Efficacy of a Decolorization Agent by the Soaking Method for Mashaf Al-Quran
This study explores the effectiveness of acetone and methanol as decolorization agents for removing ink from damaged Quranic manuscripts, aiming to develop a sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly disposal method that complies with Islamic principles. The research evaluates two paper types—wood and glossy—by employing a soaking method with varying concentrations of acetone and methanol. After treatment, pH and color coefficient tests were conducted to assess decolorization efficiency and environmental impact. The findings indicated that acetone was more effective on wood paper, achieving faster and clearer ink removal, while methanol performed better on glossy paper, ensuring thorough ink removal while maintaining paper integrity. Both agents helped to preserve the pH levels, minimizing environmental harm. This study offers an innovative solution to Quranic manuscript disposal, balancing religious respect with environmental sustainability, reducing waste, and enabling resource reuse, thus providing a viable alternative for the respectful and eco-friendly disposal of damaged Quranic texts.
An Integrated Assessment of Water Quality in Artificial Lakes: A Case Study of Tasik Kemajuan Using Bioindicators, Water Quality Index, and Trophic Status Index
Artificial lakes play a vital role in water resource management, supporting ecological balance and providing opportunities for recreation, agriculture, and urban water supplies. However, these lakes are increasingly threatened by pollution and eutrophication due to human activities and rapid urbanization resulting in significant ecological challenges. This study investigates the water quality of Tasik Kemajuan, an artificial lake at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), by employing a comprehensive approach integrating bioindicators, the Water Quality Index (WQI), and the Trophic Status Index (TSI). The study obtained bioindicator analysis focusing on macroinvertebrates resulting on water quality status of Class II (rather clean to clean) with moderate diversity and favourable ecological conditions. The WQI results averaged between 72.87 and 73.95, classifying the water as slightly polluted (Class III) and emphasizing the need for significant treatment before use. Other than that, TSI scores ranging from 76.36 to 79.51 identified the lake as eutrophic, characterized by nutrient enrichment that leads to excessive algae growth and oxygen depletion. The findings highlight the lake's ecological challenges, particularly nutrient-induced eutrophication, while the integration of these assessment methods provided a holistic understanding of the lake's water quality. Comparative analysis of WQI, TSI, and bioindicator data demonstrated the complementary strengths of these methods, highlighting the need for an integrated approach to water quality assessment. This study underscores the need for targeted management strategies to improve water quality and maintain ecological balance in artificial lakes.
Water Quality Status, Bioindicator, Water Quality Index (WQI), Trophic Status Index (TSI)
Effectiveness of Aluminium Electrode-Based Electrocoagulation in Monopolar Configuration in Removing Suspended Solids and Turbidity from Car Wash Wastewater
The increasing demand for car wash services in Malaysia has led to the release of untreated car wash wastewater into water bodies, negatively impacting the environment and aquatic life. The primary goal of this research is to optimise the operational parameters of electrocoagulation for removing suspended solids, colour, and turbidity from car wash wastewater. Additionally, this study also analyses the sludge volume index (SVI) at the end of each treatment cycle. It assesses the occurrence of the passivation effect during electrocoagulation by weighing the electrodes after every cycle. This research identifies the optimal parameters for efficiently removing total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, and colour from car wash wastewater. The electrocoagulation (EC) process was carried out using aluminium electrodes, with current density levels ranging from 20 to 100 A/m², initial pH values between 6 and 11, and contact times varying from 30 to 180 minutes while assessing the pollutants’ removal efficiency. The distance between the electrodes and the settling time was consistently maintained at 5 centimetres and 30 minutes, respectively. The optimal operating parameters identified included a current density of 45 A/m², an initial pH of 7, and a contact time of 140 minutes. Under these specified conditions, the removal efficiencies achieved were 92.09% for turbidity, 92.70% for colour, and 96.34% for suspended solids. The study also assessed the sludge volume index (SVI), which indicated poor sludge settleability (295.05 mL/g), and the electrode passivation effects, where a hydroxide layer formation reduced long-term electrode effectiveness. The electrocoagulation process has significant potential for removing physical contaminants from car wash wastewater, particularly turbidity, suspended solids, and colour. Future efforts to enhance removal efficiency could include minimising the spacing between electrodes and increasing their total working surface area.
Assessing the Effectiveness of Vegetated Drains in UTHM, Parit Raja
Vegetated drains are a type of green infrastructure that uses vegetation to capture, infiltrate, and filter stormwater runoff. The study aims to evaluate the performance of vegetated drains in reducing flood risk and improving water quantity in UTHM. Site investigation was at vegetated drains located near the Tunku Tun Aminah Library in UTHM. With hydraulic and statistical analyses, the research evaluates the performance of vegetated drains in reducing peak flow rates, improving infiltration, and enhancing water quantity. Results indicate that vegetated drains effectively reduce peak discharge rates and enhance water infiltration, contributing to flood risk reduction. The analysis highlights that vegetated drains in downstream sections accumulate higher discharges due to upstream contributions and wider channel design. From sample calculation, value of Qdrain for section A and B are both 0.3260 m3/s and 0.3638 m3/s while the value of Qpeak is 0.17 m3/s. Based on result obtained, Qdrain for both section is higher than Qpeak that indicate drainage system is capable of handling the peak flow without overflowing. Factors such as vegetation density, drain geometry, and rainfall intensity significantly influence hydraulic performance. Vegetated drains are a viable, sustainable solution for stormwater management, offering cost-effective maintenance, enhanced water quality, and improved biodiversity while mitigating urban flooding risks.
Investigation of Soil Infiltration Rate at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
Urbanization challenges the natural water cycle, leading to increased runoff surface and elevated risks of rainstorms and floods at UTHM. This study evaluates soil infiltration rates at two selected locations within the University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The purpose of this study is to determine the type and gradation of soil and to understand how soil type and vegetation cover influence soil infiltration rates and capacities under varying weather conditions. The study employs the double-ring method to measure and analyze infiltration rates, subsequently generating an infiltration rate curve under different land cover surfaces. The findings revealed that the grass-covered Musolla area had much higher infiltration rates and overall permeability than the bare terrain near the Tunku Tun Aminah Library. On day 1 (a sunny day), the library area had a high initial infiltration rate that gradually decreased, whereas Musolla maintained a consistently high infiltration rate. On day 2 (light rain), the library area experienced a rapid fall in infiltration rate as the soil approached saturation, whereas Musolla maintained a consistent rate supported by grass coverage. On Day 3 (heavy rain), the library area became completely saturated, with almost no infiltration, indicating a high risk of runoff and erosion. In contrast, Musolla maintained strong absorption despite alternating rainy and dry weather. The results highlight the crucial role of vegetation in enhancing soil permeability and managing water, underscoring the importance of grass cover in mitigating soil compaction and improving urban water absorption. The anticipated results will be to support UTHM's commitment to sustainable development and facilitate stormwater management strategies, thereby addressing the challenges posed by urbanization and enhancing the campus's resilience against potential water-related hazards.
Infiltration, Soil, Climate, Cover, Permeability, UTHM
Investigation and Classification of Unpleasant Odor in Restroom Using Intelligent Signal Processing Technique
Restrooms are essential facilities for urination and defecation, and maintaining hygiene and user comfort in these spaces is crucial. Despite similar structural designs, restrooms often exhibit varying odors, making odor detection and classification important for effective maintenance. The primary challenge is the effective detection and classification of various restroom odors to maintain hygiene and enhance user comfort. Traditional methods may not provide the accuracy or efficiency required for real-time applications. This study aims to develop a reliable method for differentiating between various restroom odors using an Electronic Nose (E-Nose) system integrated with Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) analysis. The proposed system employs the E-Anfun 1.0 model of the E-Nose to capture odor profiles. These profiles are then analyzed using a CBR framework to accurately differentiate and classify the odors. The system achieved a classification accuracy rate of 100%, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating the E-Anfun 1.0 E-Nose with CBR for odor detection. The significant findings include the system's ability to accurately classify different odor profiles, which can be utilized to enhance restroom maintenance practices. In conclusion, this method offers a promising approach to improving the hygiene and comfort of public restrooms by providing accurate and efficient odor classification. The implementation of such a system can lead to better maintenance practices and an overall improvement in restroom hygiene standards.
Analysis of Traffic Noise Pollution at School Area that Located in Gemencheh Town, Negeri Sembilan
Humans have caused a great deal of tremendous progress in recent times. However, in order to accomplish progress, one of the challenges generated by humans was Road Traffic Noise, which was caused by the unavoidable arrival of vehicles on the road. This research study was done primarily in three school areas: SMK Dato Mohd Taha, SJK(C) Sin Min, and SK Datuk Abdullah, all of which are located in Gemencheh town. The sound level meter (SW-524) was utilized for the measurement. For three days, each school was monitored (07:30-08:30) in the morning and (12:30-1:30) in the afternoon for one-hour data traffic noise collection: Day 1 (Sunday), Day 2 (Monday), and Day 3 (Tuesday) (Tuesday). In addition, a questionnaire survey was distributed to school pupils in order to determine their level of awareness. . According to the data studied traffic noise, SMK Dato Mohd Taha had the highest Leq 92.11dBa, TNI 139.5dBa, and Lnp value of 70.90dBa. In addition, SJK(C) Sin Min recorded 29.1dBa. Meanwhile, SK Datuk Abdullah does not violate the DOE's real noise limit. DOE's actual noise limit for Leq was 60dBa, TNI was 74dBa, and Lnp was 88dBa. According to the data acquired, the Leq, TNI, and Lnp surpass the DOE Malaysia's maximum noise limit guidelines. The largest number of respondents (schoolchildren) who replied "Yes" in the questionnaire survey was 51 for SMK Dato Mohd Taha. In comparison to SK Datuk Abdullah, there was just one "Yes" response. This depicts the SMK Dato Mohd Taha disastrous position. This depicts the disastrous scenario of the SMK Dato Mohd Taha traffic noise since its road was the main road between Tampin and Gemas. SK Datuk Abdullah respondents also responded "No" with 99 respondents.
Copyright (c) 2022 Journal of Advancement in Environmental Solution and Resource Recovery
A Review of Strategies to Prevent On-Site Construction Waste
One of the most important concerns that improves building profitability is the implementation of a positive approach to minimize construction waste. This paper will discuss the roots of construction waste, current waste reduction strategies, and lastly the possible use of waste management. Furthermore, the key environmental priority for this issue should be to control and mitigate construction waste generation. The purpose of this study is to provide prevention measures, and the rising tide of public awareness is all conspiring to modify the face of waste management. Clients, contractors, suppliers, and designers Architects & Engineers all have opportunities and duties to reduce construction waste. The outcomes of this study will assist academics in furthering their research into important management strategies for reducing on-site building waste.
Application of HEC-RAS for Drainage Capacity Analysis in Sungai Jempol, Negeri Sembilan
Floodplain research is important for human existence and the social economy. It can be observed that the positions of buildings impacted by flooding, such as bridges and roads, cannot be properly matched to the floodplain site in stream floodplain analysis using most computer models. The purpose of this study is to develop an output of Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) hydraulic model that will allow for one-dimensional steady flow analysis and stimulate the flood area for 20, 50 and 100 years. This study is applied to Sungai Jempol catchment area, located in Jempol. Floodplain data features such as length of streams, bank position, streamline and cross-sections were used to produce river flow and its cross-sectional shape for each station along the study area. Total of 3 flow rate values were used to indicate an increase in the water level in order to accommodate the additional amount of water that flow into river. The results show that water will overflow into the floodplain at maximum flow rate of 9m3/s or 20 years of return period. The hydraulic model had indicated that 5 out of 30 stations were unable to accommodate the maximum flow rate and thus will led to flooding. By developing the hydraulic model, it clearly shows that the results are more reliable and the affected area can be easily identified. The developed flood model can be a very useful tool in flood management of Sungai Jempol in terms of river development planning, flood mitigation measures, flood evacuation planning and addressing public awareness. This study proved that HEC-RAS is one of effective instrument for analysis and modeling.
Floodplain; Sungai Jempol; HEC-RAS; Drainage capacity
A Study of Outdoor Concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) on Different Floors of a University Building
Residents at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn (UTHM) buildings complained about dust from nine nearby factories. This study compared PM2.5 levels on different floors of a building to the New Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Guideline (NAAQG). Met One E-Sampler was used to measure PM2.5 and meteorological characteristics at different floor levels. Data was collected daily for 24 hours on each floor, except on public holidays, at two monitoring locations: FKAAB and FSKTM. This study analyzed PM2.5 on different floors and hours. On the ground level of FKAAB and the third floor of FSKTM, the average PM2.5 concentration was 29 µg/m3 and 31 µg/m3, respectively. The 2nd floor FKAAB reveals similar levels as the ground floor, 28 µg/m3. 2nd floor FKAAB was 3rd floor FSKTM. Both levels have the greatest PM2.5 concentration in UTHM air. PM2.5 concentrations were below the NAAQG (35 µg/m3). The greatest PM2.5 concentration was detected at 8:00 p.m. with 39 µg/m3 on the bottom level of FKAAB. The highest PM2.5 concentration on the third floor of FSKTM was 51 µg/m3 at 8:00 a.m. and 11 µg/m3 at 4:00 p.m. Human activity such as nearby industries, buildings, and heavy traffic altered the concentrations. In conclusion, more research is needed to determine which human activities contribute the most to UTHM air pollutants.
Mapping Spatial Distribution of Copper, Dissolved Oxygen and Total Suspended Solids Concentration in Road Stormwater Drainage at Industrial Area
In present scenario, the urbanization area stormwater quality is decreasing due to human activities such as transportation movement and industrial development. This study was carried out to determine the concentration of water quality parameters such as pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and copper and to develop the spatial distribution mapping of pH, copper and TSS by using Surfer 8 software. Stormwater samples were collected within 4 weeks from 5 sampling points that had been identified. The experiment tested were conducted according to established technique of the American Public Health Association (APHA, 2012). The results showed that the range reading for pH was 6.48 to 7.60, DO is between 4.45 to 7.49 mg/L, turbidity was ranged 11.94 to 27.16 mg/L, TSS was 11 to 27 mg/L and copper was ranging from 0.19 to 0.27 mg/L. The spatial distribution mapping developed by Surfer 8 software and figure out the trends changing of water quality in the road stormwater drainage. The results showed that the drainage nearest to S3and S5 as most threatened by Cu and lower of DO concentration. The identification of spatial distribution in the study area helps stormwater management to be beneficial in decision-making processes.
Understanding Flood Vulnerability Issues in Hulu Langat Residential Zone: A Study of Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, Malaysia
Flood vulnerability issues in residential zones in Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, Malaysia require to be addressed, analyzed and carefully recorded. This is because the residential zones are severely affected and immediately need to implement effective strategies in mitigating flood hazards. However, there are limited research in understanding flood vulnerability issues in residential zone with respect to Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, Malaysia. There are no framework provided on dealing with the existing flood vulnerability issues in residential zones. The aim of this paper is to understand the flood vulnerability issues in residential zones in Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, Malaysia and put forward a framework to mitigate the flood hazards. Qualitative research methodology is adopted for this research through analysing the perspectives of local with open-ended questionnaires. It has been found that there are still more actions required to implement by the local authority in order to provide better living conditions for the residents of Taman Sri Nanding. Moreover, careful considerations should be made for low income group of Taman Sri Nanding, who are the most vulnerable during flood. Hence, it is significant to take into account of the perspectives of local authority for carrying further this research.
Flood mitigation, Hulu Langat, Disaster risk reduction
Composite Coagulant (PACSPP) Ability to Remove Ammonia and Colour from Stabilised Leachate Under Ratio, pH and Dosage Influence
Along with chemical coagulants, coagulation-flocculation is one of the applications that works well for stable leachate treatment. Polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and sweet potato peels (SPP) were operated as a composite coagulant (PACSPP) to investigate the efficiency of removing colour and ammonia from Simpang Renggam landfill’s leachate. From the analysis of the results, the optimum ratio of composite coagulant was PACSPP(b) with a 4:6 ratio. The optimum dose and pH for composite coagulant of PACSPP(b) was 5,000 mg/L at pH 6, with removal percentages of colour and ammonia being 92% and 66%, respectively. The removal percentage of colour and ammonia of composite coagulant is at par but with less chemical coagulant. These results show that a composite coagulant made up of chemical coagulant (PAC) and natural coagulant (SPP) combined the best qualities of both coagulants and improved the coagulation effectiveness
Removal of Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Colour and Suspended Solids from Leachate using Aerated Electrochemical Coagulation (AEC) Under the Influence Factors of Electrolyte Concentration and Aeration Rate
In this study, aerated electrochemical coagulation (AEC) was used to treat leachate. This study was conducted to determine the best conditions for the AEC method to remove ammoniacal nitrogen, colour and suspended solids from leachate. Electrolyte concentration and aeration rate were the variable operating parameters of this study. Al and Fe electrodes were aerated with an air pump, and polyaluminium chloride (PAC) was added simultaneously to the leachate sample. The optimum value obtained from the AEC was 60ml of electrolyte concentration and an aeration rate of 1.0 L/min. Based on the optimum conditions, the experimental results removed 38%, 93%, and 95% of ammoniacal nitrogen, colour, and suspended solids, respectively. This indicates that the AEC method enhanced the removal of ammoniacal nitrogen, colour and suspended solids from leachate. However, only suspended solids comply with the effluent standard.
Monitoring Water Level and Water Quality in Rainwater Harvesting Tank using Internet of Things (IoT) Device
In the content of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the Internet of Things (IoT) is encouraged to be implemented in various areas of the industry, including the hydrology industry. The water quality parameters such as pH value and turbidity of water can be monitored via the IoT device. Thus, in this study, the objectives are to monitor the water level, pH value and turbidity of water in the rainwater harvesting (RWH) storage tank built using IoT devices, and to estimate the suitable volume of RWH storage tank on the rooftop of Kumpulan Perubatan Johor (KPJ) Batu Pahat Specialist Hospital. The combination of ultrasonic sensors, pH sensors, turbidity sensors and rain gauge with the Arduino were utilized for the water monitoring system installed at the RWH storage tank at KPJ Batu Pahat Specialist Hospital. The output of the data, including water level, pH value, turbidity and rainfall depth were monitored through the online portal of MyAgriTECH Monitoring System within six months from November 2020 to April 2021. The time interval for the measurement of the parameters was every 10 minutes, from the beginning until the end. The water level obtained ranged from 132.15 cm to 184.11 cm. The pH value recorded were ranged from 5.45 to 12.38, whereas the lowest turbidity and highest turbidity was 9.25 NTU and 67.11 NTU, respectively. For the estimation of optimum size for rainwater harvesting storage tank, the results obtained was 5 m3. The use of IoT device in monitoring water level and water quality in RWH tank can be implemented due to RWH system is indeed one of the alternatives to solve the problem of water supply.
Groundwater Quality Assessment for Drinking Purposes Using Multivariate Analysis and Surfer in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
Groundwater deterioration usually related to pollution that caused by human activities and natural sources that occurred underground. Water quality is important in order to maintain individual health. The objectives of this study were to determine the factor impacting groundwater quality for drinking purpose using multivariate statistical analysis and to generate groundwater contour map and flow direction using Surfer software. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze and identifying the element or factor that impacting the water quality in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Total ten parameters of five wells were analyzed. The results of descriptive analysis explained that based on the quality of physical and chemical parameters, water from these five wells are suitable to be used as drinking water. The qualities are all below the limit recommended by Ministry of Health (MOH) and World Health Organization (WHO), except for electrical conductivity (EC) and bicarbonate (HCO3) parameters. Hierarchical analysis result was then classified the groundwater into three cluster. Cluster 1 has less salinity type of water and Cluster 2 it might cause by the replenishment of freshwater. For Cluster 3, value of EC has the highest compared to others at 508.00 µS/cm. In principal cluster (PC) analysis or factor analysis, result shows that PC2 (Principal for Cluster 2) has the total variance of 11.91%. This PC2 result indicated that source of pollution in the groundwater sample is might due to anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and natural sources (mineral dissolution) based on previous studies. The generation of water table map using Surfer software shows that the groundwater is flowing from East to West direction of Seremban map.
The Combination of a Previous Kitchen Waste Grease Trap for Fat, Oil, and Grease for Pre-Treatment
Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) contamination of wastewater is a significant problem for municipalities and operators of solid waste facilities. Restaurants and households are the higher contributions to the FOG entering the sewage system. Its discharge into the sewage system leads to a constant build-up that eventually causes sewer pipes to get clogged. Numerous scholars have examined FOG deposition concerning sewage conditions and local lifestyles. in addition, innovative technologies have been launched to the market that removes FOG from wastewater before its discharge into drainage and sewage systems. Grease interceptors, for example, are installed under certain restaurant kitchen sinks to collect grease from kitchen effluent. This technology is expensive, requires a lot of upkeep and space, and is often disregarded, resulting in odour discomfort. This research aims to modify a grease trap as the primary treatment method for untreated kitchen wastewater based on the gravity separation principle and to investigate the efficiency of grease trap physical treatment in a water treatment system used to filter oil and grease in the sink channel. Furthermore, when the outflow from the kitchen sink enters the grease trap, solid food particles sink into the grease trap while grease and oil float to the surface. The grease-free water goes into the septic system. Food particles in the waste food trap and floating oil and grease must be frequently removed. The optimization of the separation process was determined using a grease trap based on the flow rate of kitchen wastewater. The results revealed that the optimization removal of FOG was 99.54% with a 2.41 L/min of flow rate. Hence, this study shows the effectiveness of using grease traps could treat raw kitchen wastewater based on the gravity separation principle.
FOG, kitchen wastewater, sewage system, grease trap
Growth and Survival of Acropora Formosa (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) Coral Fragments and Their Impact on Reef Fish Assemblage in Geluk Island, Terengganu
Coral transplantation is a widely used technique for restoring damaged reefs in order to restore coral abundance, recruitment, and species diversity. However, its limited evidence to prove the impacts on coral reef fish. In this study, the fish abundance was determined before and after a coral transplant project at Geluk island, Terengganu. Prior to the study, branching coral from acropora formosa species were propagated and evaluated for 2 years. The experimental design included a mortality percent and the growth rate of coral fragment used. Correspondingly, quantify the differences in reef fish diversity indices before and after the propagation. Overall, the coral fragment survived at rate of 96%, and the growth rates of fragment ranged between 6.4 ± 0.6 cm/year to 9.5 ± 1.1 cm/year. Pomacentridae was determined to be dominant family for coral reef fish, and the fish species increased in term of their species diversity (H1) from 0.000 (2016) to 1.053 (2017) and 2.076 (2018) respectively. High growth and survival rates of acropora formosa coral fragments and the increases pattern of fish diversity found in this study suggested that the coral propagation is successful and feasible in increasing the fish assemblages.
A Laboratory Investigation on Flow Rate Coefficient for Compound Weir
Abstract: The determination of the flowrate in an open channel can be obtained indirectly through the application of the weir. Therefore, the flow rate coefficient is significant as the value will differ based on the shape of the weir. Compound weirs are suitable shapes for rivers that have low flow levels during the dry season and high flow during the rainy season. The purpose of the study is to determine the flowrate coefficient, Cd values, using a rectangular-triangular weir. The method used was an experimental study by using nine models of compound weirs with different measurements of V-notch angle, ?, and length of weir, L. The highest value for Cd is 0.47 which characteristics weir, L = 0.10 m, ? = 50o (Model 2) at H = 0.076 m. Meanwhile, the lowest value of Cd is 0.11 which characteristics weir, L = 0.15 m, ? = 50o (Model 8) at H = 0.025 m. Furthermore, V-notch angle, ? = 50o is the best angle of V-notch when combined with all constant L (0.1 m, 0.12 m, and 0.15 m). The correlation between Cd and H, and Qexp and Qtheory show good relations between variables except for Model 7. It is shown that the flowrate and measurement of the weir influence the flowrate coefficient, Cd. In conclusion the value of the flow rate coefficient, Cd can be identified for high and low water flows before being used at the actual site. Therefore, an exact value of discharge is a design criterion that must be met by the hydraulic structure. If the discharge is overestimated, the structure might collapse, and if the discharge is underestimated, the structure might not last very long owing to weakness. Keywords: Compound weirs, Flowrate coefficient, experimental study, Rectangular-Triangular weir
Stormwater Drainage Design (Case Study: UTHM Campus)
The impervious surface has risen as a result of development is growing rapidly. Impervious surfaces are considered to have poor water permeability as the surface prevents water from penetrating it which can lead to increased surface runoff. The rise of surface runoff at impervious area such as paved road and parking area will be far more severe especially when there is no existing drain nearby at Jalan Kolej in UTHM Campus. Along with the condition of road chambers that have slope to drain surface runoff to the road shoulder also may increase the surface runoff drastically in that area as the water will accumulate more due to slow infiltration rate. Therefore, the objective of this case study is to determine runoff problem at impervious area that may cause flash flood as well as to propose a good design for new storm water drainage. In this study, the rational method and Manning's equation were applied. Rational method was used to determine the peak runoff in the study area and Manning's equation was used to ensure that the stormwater drain designed were able to accommodate peak surface runoff. As a result, it was discovered that the poor infiltration rate in the study area was also a contributing factor to increasing impervious surface runoff. The lowest infiltration rate discovered in UTHM Campus was 9.78 mm/hr. In order to decreased surface runoff on impervious surfaces while minimising the risk of flash floods, the designed stormwater drain should be able to accommodate peak flow. The peak discharge at the study area was at subcatchment 3 with 1.723 m3/s while the designed stormwater drainage capacity was 4.119 m3/s. By doing this study, runoff problems were identified and a stormwater drain was developed to mitigate the problem in the study area.
Study on the Water Quality Index (WQI) of Parit Besar River in Batu Pahat
Water resources play an important role in supplying water for domestic, industrial and agricultural. More than 70% of the Earth’s surface was covered with water sources were found in rivers, lakes, rainwater, groundwater, and others. However, over time, water quality deteriorates due to exposure to weather changes and urbanisation, and effects from point and non-point sources of pollution. The objectives of this study were to measure the Water Quality Index (WQI) parameters and identify the Parit Besar River latest status based on the WQI and National Water Quality Standards (NWQS) for Malaysia. Water samples were collected from three locations along the Parit Besar River and was analysed using six WQI parameters: the Ammonia Nitrogen (AN), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), pH, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). In all upstream, middle and downstream sampling locations and WQI analyses, results show that the status of the Parit Besar river falls in Class IV. Meanwhile, the average NQWS Class of each parameter for AN, BOD, COD, DO, pH and TSS are 2.25 mg/L (Class IV), 6.18 mg/L (Class IV), 66.50 mg/L (Class IV), 6.15 mg/L (Class IIA), 6.86 (Class I) and 343.33 mg/L (Class V), respectively. It can be concluded that with the high population and high development of housing areas surrounding Parit Besar river have been leading this river to be highly contaminated, and this river is not appropriate for water supply or fisheries, hence it can only be used for irrigation purposes.
Study of Traffic Noise Pollution at Penang Sentral Area, Butterworth, Penang
Noise pollution has become a major environment issue that happen at the urban area in the city. The noise pollution can affect the mental and physical health of the people nearby the resources of the sound. The lack of sleep, poor performance during working or studying and hearing impairment is one of the impacts because of constant noise pollution. The objectives of this research are to measure the traffic noise level at three difference area which are SMK Convent Butterworth, KTM Butterworth, and Surau Al- Hidayah Balai Pukat. The objective is to determine the traffic noise index and equvalent continuous noise pollution at three differences area which are SMK Convent Butterworth, KTM Butterworth, and Surau Al-Hidayah Balai Pukat and lastly to identify the awareness about the traffic noise pollution around the Penang Sentral community. The research area is Penang Sentral, Butterworth, Pulau Pinang. The hand-held sound level meter has been used to collect the data. The research will be conduct during peak hour for 5 days at three different stations around Penang Sentral area. The aim of this study is able to reduce the noise pollution and improve the health of the student and residents. The result from this study is there are noise pollution around the Penang Sentral area. The LAeq has exceed 70 dBa at the Surau Al Hidayah and KTM Butterworth. The TNI at the 3 location also has exceed 74 dBa. The people around the area also aware about the noise pollution in Penang Sentral area and they agree that noise pollution can cause health problem. The authorities play a big roles to overcome this problem. They have to plan the city planning before approve the building to be constructed. At the Penang Sentral area indeed has a noise pollution around the area.
Stabilized Leachate Treatment Using Aerated Electrocoagulation to Reduce Ammonia Nitrogen and Colour Removal
Landfill leachate is considered dangerous as it contains countless pollutants. Untreated landfill leachate will damage groundwater resources, the environment and human health. An appropriate treatment is necessary to treat leachate to prevent harm to the environment and humans. The objective in this research is to determine the optimum aerated electrocoagulation under the influence of current density, pH of leachate and aeration rate for ammonia nitrogen and colour removal. The efficiency of removal ammonia nitrogen and colour were compared with Environmental Quality (Control of pollution from solid wastewater transfer station and landfill) Regulation 2009. This research used leachate from Simpang Renggam Sanitary Landfill. In this experiment two electrodes of aluminium and ferum at anode and cathode respectively were used. The highest removal percentage were obtained at 84.93% and 58.82% for the colour and ammonia nitrogen at 200 A/m2 of current density, 1.0 L/min of aeration rate and pH 5. The removal value was still insufficient to fit the environment quality standard. However, to meet the environmental quality standard, integration with other treatments method is suggested.
Assessment and Mapping of Ammonium Concentration in Swale around Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment and G3 Lake, Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia, (UTHM)
Water contamination can occur in a variety distinct way, point source and non-point source, leading to the catchment by surface runoff. This study has shown that the presence of ammonium in the swales at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment and G3 Lake, Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia. Undoubtedly, this ammonium concentration presence in the swale is generated by urbanization and the rise in the quantity of impermeable surfaces like buildings, roofs, roads, parking lots, and other transportation-related structures. It is also caused by pollutants, including vehicle emissions and maintenance of side swale such as grass cutting. The concentration ammonium presence in the swale around the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment and G3 Lake was verified. Surfer Software was used to develop spatial distribution mapping. The color pattern shows that the ammonium concentration each week by the number of all sampling point areas. The result of each parameter for ammonium ranged 0.01- 0.8 mg/L, DO ranged 5.83- 8.47 mg/L, turbidity ranged 0.97- 63.27 NTU, pH ranged 3.62- 6.94, temperature ranged 23.3-28.1 ? C and TDS ranged 100- 900 mg/L. The outcome of this research could be to give insights about the adequacy of water for daily usage activities, reducing the environmental impact and exhibit the trend of ammonium in the swale for future reference.
A Field Study of Green Roof Water Quality Performance
A green roof is a technology that is partially covered with vegetation and growing medium, planted over a filter and waterproofing membrane. Runoff water quality from the green roofs may have contaminants due to the effect from its surrounding or from the layer of green roof substrate. The objectives of this study are to analyze the water quality of the green roof runoff and to investigate the effectiveness of different vegetation treatments of the green roofs. Water quality experiments were conducted on runoff of four green roof test beds’ treatment. Three of the test beds were planted with three different vegetations, Alternanthera F. (Sample 2), Zoysia M. (Sample 3) and Sanseviera T. (Sample 4), while the other one test bed was used as a control roof that contained with only substrate known as non-vegetated roof (Sample 1). All results were compared to the Water Quality Index (WQI) and National Water Quality Standard Malaysia (NWQS) where the WQI results for Sample 1 is 59.41 (Class III), sample 2 is 55.91 (Class III), sample 3 is 54.03 (Class III) and sample 4 is 61.6 (Class III), respectively. It can conclude that the water sample from the green roof is suitable for fishery III (for livestock drinking) and water supply III which may require for further extensive treatment.
Airborne Bacterial Pollution in Clinical Environment, Sana'a - Yemen
Abstract: This work aims to know the extent of air pollution and common bacterial species in delivery rooms in some hospitals in Sana'a city. Six randomly airborne samples from delivery rooms of three hospitals (Algmhory, Althwrah and Alsabeen hospitals). Out of 65 airborne bacteria were isolated from delivery rooms, 89.2% of them showed Gram positive bacterial isolates and 10.8% Gram negative bacteria. Bacteria isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, Micrococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Corynebacterium sp., Klebsiella sp., Lactobacillus sp. and Proteus mirabilis. The highest percentage of bacterial isolates was recorded in Alsabeen hospital as 66.2%. Staphylococcus was the most dominant organism isolated from the delivery rooms in all examined hospitals (37 isolates, 56.9%), while the lowest percentages were: Lactobacillus (two isolates, 3.1%), Klebsiella and Proteus (one isolate, 1.5%) for each.