Malaysian Waters Research Articles

Length-weight relationship of stingrays in Kuala Selangor, Malaysia

Summary Length-weight relationships of three sympatric species of stingrays from a coastal mudflat, Malaysia were estimated. A total of 290 individuals (150 Himantura walga, 78 Dasyatis bennetti, and 57 Dasyatis zugei) were sampled using barrier net, gill net and beam trawl. The length-weight relationship based on disc length and width generally showed positive allometric growth (b > 3) for all species. This study reports the first findings regarding the length-weight relationships of these stingray species in Malaysian waters.

Flow Pattern Map of Malaysian Crude Oil and Water Two-Phase Flow in a Pipe System

Water produced along with the crude oil during production and transported together in a pipeline is a common occurrence in a petroleum production system. Understanding the behavior of crude oil-water flow in a pipe is crucial to engineering applications such as design and operation of flow lines and wells, and separation systems. Presently, there was no two phase flow study done on the Malaysian waxy crude oil-water. Therefore, a research work was conducted at the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation Institute for Oil and Gas, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia to study the flow pattern of the Malaysian waxy crude oil-water flowing in a closed-loop system at the ambient condition through a 5.08 cm ID stainless steel horizontal pipeline. The research works comprised fluid characterization and flow pattern observation using a video camera camcorder. Five flow patterns have been identified, namely stratified wavy flow, stratified wavy with semi dispersed flow at interface and oil film, dispersion of water in oil and oil continuous with emulsion, dispersion of oil in water with water continuous, and the newly found semi dispersed flow with semi emulsion at interface and thin oil film. The experimental results could be used as a platform to understand better a more complex case of gas, oil, and water flow in a pipeline, which is of utmost importance in designing optimum surface facilities.

Extreme Value Analysis and Joint Densities of Wind Directionality, Wind Speed and Wave Height for Malaysian Waters

Prediction of extreme environmental loadings is crucial in the design of offshore platforms. Combinations of independent 100-year loadings are usually used assuming that it will bring the maximum value that is suitable for the design. It is rather impossible for such independent combinations to occur at the same time. Addressing this issue requires approaches in two methods. The first would be to find the probabilities of joint effect of these parameters, while the second would be to forecast the extreme value of each parameter. Joint densities and extreme value analysis have become available due to significant advancements in fluid dynamics and computer science. By using the combination of these two techniques, the actual loading of wind and wave can be obtained, leading to optimum and robust design.

Load resistance factor design (LRFD) calibration of load factors for extreme storm loading in Malaysian waters

Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB) performs its operations in three regions in Malaysian waters. Currently, fixed offshore structures are designed in accordance with ISO 19902, which is meant to provide guidance for the design of fixed offshore structures internationally, but the load factors in ISO 19902 are often derived from studies performed in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea environments. One such load factor is the 1.35 for environmental loading that has been prescribed within ISO 19902. Site specific metocean studies in Malaysian waters reveal environmental conditions that are more benign than the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. This study presents the results of a component-based approach and investigates the suitability of the 1.35 load factor for environmental loading in Malaysian Waters to achieve the same target reliability for a similar structure designed consistent with the provisions of the API RP 2A-WSD. First-order reliability methods (FORM) have been undertaken using a database of tubular components with representative geometries, bending-to-axial stress ratios, dead-to-live load ratios and environmental to gravity load ratios. The analysis results show that if the target were to be based on the weighted average probabilities inherent in the API RP 2A-WSD 21st Edition, an environmental action factor of 1.245 (Region A), 1.295 (Region B) and 1.255 (Region C) with the ISO provisions will on average achieve similar reliability.

English

Water quality of some traditionally protected water bodies (Obi Pond, Abua Lake, Usede Lake, Atochi Stream and River Ethiope (Source) and unprotected water bodies (Ame-Oghene Pond, Oguta Lake, Omoku Pond, Tenmako Lake and Ikarama Lake) that commonly serve for domestic and drinking purposes in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria have been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the water quality of traditionally protected water bodies with unprotected water bodies. Water samples collected from the identified sources was experimentally determined using various laboratory methods. Study was carried out within the early rainy season (May to June) of 2013. The water quality of each of the water bodies was assessed using Malaysian water quality index (WQI) and results show that, the water quality of the traditionally protected Obi Pond, Abua Lake, Usede Lake, Atochi Stream and River Ethiope (Source) are 76.73, 76.13, 76.65, 77.04 and 81.25, respectively and belong to class II. Empirically, the water quality can be described as good. The WQI of unprotected Ame-Oghene Pond, Oguta Lake, Tenmako Lake, Ikarama Lake and Omoku Pond are 65.64, 67.46, 37.60, 43.38 and 65.81, respectively. Water quality of Ame-Oghene Pond, Oguta Lake and Omoku Pond belong to Class III and can empirically be described as medium or average while the water quality of Tenmako Lake and Ikarama Lake belong to Class IV and can be empirically described as fair. Using the two-tailed T-test formula to evaluate the null hypotheses, results showed that the calculated t-value was 123.98 while that obtained from the t-Tables at 95% confidence level was 2.31 and hence the null hypotheses was rejected. This means that there is significant difference between the water quality of traditionally protected water bodies and the unprotected water bodies. We are of the view that by incorporating natural sacred sites into the existing protected area networks will improve natural resource conservation. Key words: Malaysian water quality index, traditionally protected water bodies, unprotected water bodies, sacred groves, gods/spirits, traditional ecological knowledge.

Heave Buoy Energy Converters; Simulation of Heave Buoy Response to Wave in Malaysian Water

Wave energy converter (WEC) designs are always discussed in order to find an optimum design to generate power. The power output from wave energy converters may be increase by controlling the oscillation in order to approach an optimum interaction between the WEC and the incident wave. However, in order to control the oscillation of the heave buoy, the wave profile and the device's response must be examined and fully understood. Analysis carried out by study heave buoys response on Malaysian water using MathCAD software. The results shows that the heave buoy give a good heave response with regards of the wave phase. In this particular area, it is estimated that the wave force can produce as much as 4x105 kW/m. From the response, the strategies to optimize power output can be proposed in order to maximize the active power to generate an optimum power output.

Productivity, Efficiency, and Privatization in the Malaysian Water Industry

This paper analyses efficiency within the Malaysian water sector using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) approach and the Malmquist Total Factor Productivity (TFP) Index. The results of the DEA show that the sector’s mean technical efficiency was about 65 per cent over a ten-year period (1999 to 2008), which means that there is significant room for improvement in the area of resource utilization, whereby the sector can expand by 35 per cent whilst continuing to use the same amount of resources. The findings also indicate that Pulau Pinang state has the most efficient utilization of water and can therefore serve as a benchmark for optimal performance. The TFP analysis shows that the sector lags behind in the area of technological improvements, confirming an ongoing problem of inadequate capital investment. The findings indicate a positive relationship between efficiency and profitability and a negative relationship between efficiency and tariff rates. The relationship between privatization and efficiency, however, cannot be ascertained solely from the findings of this paper.

Water Phytoremediation by Sedimentation Using Moringa oleifera Seed Powder to Remove Water Turbidity in Malaysia

The study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of a natural coagulant that is Moringa oleifera seeds in removing turbid from Malaysian water. Three water samples were used in this study subjected to purification studies using Moringa oleifera seeds that were collected during two different seasons that are dry season (February-March) and rainy season (October-November). The treated water samples were tested for turbidity level, pH level and color index. The result shows that Moringa oleifera seed collected during drought season has the ability to remove turbidity up to 88.0% and has better color index compared seeds collected during rainy season. The ability of Moringa oleifera seeds protein to act as a magnet assists in attracting the flocks and turbid in the water. Although not as effective as conventional chemicals, Moringa oleifera shows remarkable ability to remove turbid and encourages the use of natural coagulant in water treatment plants as it is cheap and environmental friendly.

Rapid Detection of Toxic Dinofl agellate, Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae) Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are phenomena known as sudden increase in Microalgal population that cause seafood poisoning in human and impact to marine ecosystem. Dinofl agellates from the genus Alexandrium had been known to be responsible for paralytic shellfi sh poisoning (PSP) toxins with the production of sodium blocking neurotoxins collectively called saxitoxin (STX). Species identifi cation in thisgenus is based on thecal plate tabulation and minute morphological character, which is often hard to observe during regular plankton monitoring that require taxonomic expertise. Hence, a molecular detection approach using whole-cell fl uorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was investigated in this study for the rapid detection of Alexandrium. Ribosomal DNA probes targeting the toxic A.minutum were designed in silico. Specifi city and accessibility of designed probes were further verifi ed in silico by comparing parameters that infl uenced hybridization kinetics. Species-specifi c probe which was designated as L-S-Amin-569-A-18 was synthesized and optimized using the clonal cultures of A. minutum. The results showed that the DNA probe had high specifi city towards A. minutum, with no cross-reactivity towards other Alexandrium species. The whole-cell FISH coupled with the speciesspecifi c probe showed its potency as a rapid detection tool of A. minutum in Malaysian waters,which could be adopted in the national harmful algal monitoring program. (Keywords: Paralytic shellfi sh poisoning (PSP); Alexandrium minutum, “fl uorescence in situ hybridization” (FISH);DNA probe)

First Record of Marine Dinofl agellate, Alexandrium tamutum (Dinophyceae) from Malaysia

Several species of dinofl agellates in the genus Alexandrium are known to be toxic, and have been associated with paralytic shellfi sh poisoning (PSP) in Malaysia. These Alexandrium species showed high morphological similarity among the toxic and non-toxic species, and detailed observation of the thecal plate’s arrangement is required for precise species identifi cation. Co-occurrence of the toxic and non-toxic species has complicated the plankton monitoring of PSP. In this study, a clone of Alexandrium species was established from plankton samples collected from Kota Belud, Sabah. The specimen was observed under epi-fl uorescence microscope, and nucleotide sequences of the nuclear-encoded ribosomal RNA gene obtained. Morphologically, the clone showed relatively wide and large sixth precingular plate (6´´) compared to that of A. minutum. The posterior sulcal plate (Sp) is similar to that of A. minutum, which is wider than long. The fi rst apical plate (1´) is irregularly rhomboidal with a small ventral pore (vp) present on its right margin. The morphological characters resembled to the species description of A. tamutum. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS rDNA region also revealed a monophyly of this clone with other strains of A. tamutum, and separating them from the A. minutum clade. Species-specifi c sequence signatures of A. tamutum were obtained in silico, which could be as potential oligonucleotide probe regions for species detection by using molecular tool. This represents the fi rst report of A. tamutum found in Malaysian waters. (Keywords: Alexandrium tamutum, A. minutum, Sabah, Malaysia, thecal plates)

Inhibitive Bacterial MTT Assay for River Monitoring of Heavy Metals


 An inhibitive assay for metals using a MTT-bacterium assay system is presented. The assay is based on the ability of respiring bacteria to reduce the tetrazolium dye MTT. Out of the 13 metals screened, silver, mercury and copper exhibit strong inhibition to bacterial respiratory activity. The calculated IC50s for silver, mercury and copper were 0.068, 0.092 and 0.517 mg/L, respectively. The IC50 values obtained for these heavy metals are comparable and in certain cases lower than existing bioassay methods such as Daphnia magna, rainbow trout, Microtox™ and papain assays. Works on real water samples from several rivers in Malaysia using the MTT–bacterium assay showed positive correlation with instrumental method (ICP-OES) in detecting heavy metals. The bacterium was tentatively identified as S. marcescens strain Dr.YS8 based on carbon utilization profiles using Biolog GN plates and partial 16s rDNA molecular phylogeny. The system could be used to biomonitor heavy metals extensively in Malaysian waters.

Occurrence of synthetic hormones in sewage effluents and Langat River and its tributaries, Malaysia

This study investigated for the first time the occurrence of selected synthetic hormones including 17α-ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, norethindrone and cyproterone acetate in Malaysian tropical waters. Samples were collected from the effluents of five sewage treatment plants (STPs) and at seven stations along the Langat River in Selangor, Malaysia, and its main tributaries. Samples were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE) and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In Langat river samples, only levonorgestrel and cyproterone acetate were found at 50% and 3.3% frequency. The concentrations detected for levonorgestrel ranged from less than the method detection limit (<MDL) to 213 ng L−1 and from < MDL to 76 ng L−1 for cyproterone acetate. For the STP effluent samples, levonorgestrel was <MDL in all samples and the concentrations detected were in the range < MDL – 262 ng L−1 for cyproterone acetate, < MDL −11336 ng L−1 for norethindrone and < MDL – 1898 ng L−1 for 17α-ethinylestradiol.

Time Domain and Frequency Domain Analyses of Measured Metocean Data for Malaysian Waters

Time Domain and Frequency Domain Analyses of Measured Metocean Data for Malaysian Waters

The genus Pseudo-nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) in Malaysia, including new records and a key to species inferred from morphology-based phylogeny

Abstract Species of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia are known to produce domoic acid that is responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). To investigate the potential risk of ASP and species occurrence of toxic or potentially toxic Pseudo-nitzschia in Malaysian waters, plankton samples were collected from 17 locations. Samples were examined through transmission electron microscopy. Species of Pseudo-nitzschia were identified on the basis of the frustule morphology and morphometric measurements. Twenty-two well-described species were recorded, of which 14 are new records for Malaysia. A new morphotype, closely resembling species in the pseudodelicatissima complex, was also discovered. The morphotype differs from other species in the complex by its lower densities of fibulae and striae. Nine of the species have previously been associated with ASP events worldwide. Our study recorded for the first time high species richness of Pseudo-nitzschia in the confined coasts of Malaysia. In addition, we performed a morphology-based phylogeny and proposed a key to Pseudo-nitzschia species, with a special emphasis on the poroid structure of the striae, to aid in species identification.

Water security and its challenges for Malaysia

Water Security in Malaysia is a national issue. The Malaysian water services industry faces issues which need to be tackled immediately for it to be viable and sustainable. Among them are the decentralized water services sector, ineffective governance structure, unsustainable tariffs, huge investments required to develop the water supply and sewerage infrastructure, inefficient operation by the operators and high non-revenue water (NRW) losses. In Malaysia, the "Sectorial" approach embedded in the present water management system and its transformation towards "Integrated Water Resources Management" (IWRM), is still in a state of inertia. This paper presents the need to transform, from a "Supply" Management mode (a characteristic of a developing country) to a "Water Demand" Management mode (a characteristic of a developed country). Issues on "Water Demand" Management for the Environment which can be a threat to the need for sustainable development for biodiversity are highlighted here. Reliable water accounting systems are found still lacking in this country, especially in the Agriculture and Environmental Sectors, where figures are still highly based on "traditional" assumptions. Water Quality deterioration remains an issue especially for the Water Supply and Environment Sectors. Available surface water resource is depleting in many regions and states in the Peninsular. Apart from the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R) option for surface water, another option would be to begin a concerted effort for groundwater exploitation. However there are still grey areas of knowledge in the groundwater resources in this country for affirmative decisions and development of appropriate policies. It is also found that, there are no concerted plans to prepare the public for the change from "Supply" Management to "Demand" Management. In a developed nation, this change is through stakeholder platforms and supported by appropriate policies, rules and regulations that are based on validated Sciences, Technologies and Innovations (STI). Transforming from "Supply" Management to "Demand" Management is a formidable task. This requires the wisdom and knowledge of all experts in the Water Resources Sector.

The Need for Better Water Policy and Governance in Malaysia

Water is getting scarce. Many countries are already facing problems to access clean, safe drinking water. The expending world population seems to be the culprit. It becomes more complicated with uncontrolled usage, public's ignorance and ineffective water management. This qualitative study is exploratory in nature. It analyses existing documents on Malaysian water management and governance. Early finding reveals existing water governance lacks good management and there are legal vacuums. This paper promotes appropriate water management policies and strategies at both the federal and state levels, relevant agencies, stakeholders and local communities in ensuring sustainable water resources and supply.

Taxonomic Composition and Abundance of Zooplankton Copepoda in the Coastal Waters of Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia

The abundance and composition of copepod was carried out in the coastal waters of Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia on March 2005. Samples were collected using conical plankton net with the mesh size of 153 μm. Copepod identified comprised of four orders namely, Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Harpacticoida and Poecilostomatoida. A total of 49 species belonging to 26 genera were identified. Nine most abundant species were Paracalanus crassirostris, Paracalanus elegans, Temora stylifera, Temora turbinata, Oncaea venusta, Corycaeus andrewsi, Corycaeus subtilis, Paracalanus parvus and Paracalanus denudatus. The first four species mentioned were the most abundant species and they accounted for over 50% of the total numbers of identified copepods. Copepod species which were rare and low in abundance included Delius nudus, Acrocalanus gracilis, Tortanus forcipatus, Centropages orsini, Corycaeus dahlia, Copilia mirabilis, Labidocera minuta, Microstetella rosea and Cosmocalanus darwini. Cosmocalanus darwini is new record to Malaysian waters. Species richness and diversity tends to increase towards the offshore while abundance increased towards the inshore stations.

Morphometric Variation Among Six Families of Larval Fishes in the Seagrass-Mangrove Ecosystem of Gelang Patah, Johor, Malaysia

Morphometnc data of six dominant families of fish larvae were examined to observe the degree of similarity among the six families. The experiment was conducted in the seagrass-mangrove ecosystems of Gelang Patah, Johor Strait, Peninsular Malaysia. Samples of fish larvae were collected by using bongo net through 30 min subsurface tow. The six dominant families (Terapontidae, Gobndae, Sillaginidae, Nemipteridae, Blenniidae and Leiognathidae) were selected for the morphometric analysis using one-way ANOVA by SPSS and PRIMER 5 software for cluster analysis. All the morphometric characters, total length, standard length, body depth, snout length, head length, eye diameter and pre anal length of the six dominant families of the order Perciformes were found to be significantly different (p<0.05). The study is formed a basis for further extensive research to be earned out on larval fishes in Malaysian waters.

Atmospheric deposition of 210Po and 210Pb in Malaysian waters during haze events

Biogenic burning as forest fire phenomena occurring from April to August each year in the Sumatra and Borneo islands are major sources of biogenic uranium–thorium decay series in marine systems. 30 samples were collected during the Ekspedisi Pelayaran Saintifik Perdana 2009 cruise (EPSP 2009 cruise) between 12th June and 1st August 2009 from the Straits of Malacca to the Sulu and Sulawesi Seas to study the effect of haze and the monsoon season on the deposition rate of 210Po and 210Pb in Malaysian waters. All samples were spiked with 1 ml of lead [Pb(NO3)2; 25 mg ml−1] and 0.05 ml of Polonium-209 tracer (26.08 dpm ml−1). 210Po activity was determined by auto plating onto silver foil and counting using an alpha spectrometry system (Canberra model Alpha Analyst with a silicon-surface barrier detector). Lead that was collected via electrodeposition, formed lead sulphate (PbSO4) precipitation. This precipitate was wrapped onto plastic discs and counted for 210Pb beta activity using a gross alpha–beta counting system (Tennelec model LB-5100 low background gas-flowing anti-coincidence alpha/beta counter) after 1 month to allow bismuth ingrowths. The range of 210Po activities varied between 51.08 ± 15.1 and 742.08 ± 220.34 Bq/kg, whereas the activity of 210Pb ranged from 31.10 ± 4.20 to 880.23 ± 123.86 Bq/kg and 210Po/210Pb ratio value varied between sampling stations from 0.19 to 13.77. The contents of 210Po were also statistically positively correlated with the amount of total suspended particulate especially those recorded during heavy haze period events.

First record of the dottyback Manonichthys alleni (Teleostei: Perciformes: Pseudochromidae) from the Philippines

Several specimens of the pseudochromid Manonichthys alleni , with total length ranging from 45 to 60 mm, were observed at depths of 19–28 m in a coral reef in the Davao Gulf in the southern Philippines. Each specimen lived within a separate colony of the tubular sponge Callyspongia aerizusa . This constitutes the first record in the Philippine archipelago of a dottyback so far only known from Indonesian and Malaysian waters.