Pinang River Research Articles

Occurrence and ultrastructural surface of Blastocystis isolated from water sources in Kedah and Penang, Malaysia.

Blastocystis is a ubiquitous waterborne parasite that has been implicated in some disease conditions including colorectal cancer and irritable bowel syndrome, and its surface coat characteristics have been associated with its pathogenicity. Although the morphology of Blastocystis isolates from human and animal sources have been studied, there is a paucity of data on the surface ultrastructure of Blastocystis isolated from water sources. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the occurrence and the ultrastructural surface of Blastocystis isolates from several water sources in Kedah and Penang, Malaysia. A total of 12 water samples were collected, namely, Pinang River and USM Harapan Lake all in Penang, whereas Lata Bayu Waterfall in Baling and UniSHAMS Lake, Kuala Ketil in Kedah. These were examined for Blastocystis by centrifugation and in vitro cultivation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy were employed to study the morphological characteristics and the surface ultrastructure of the parasite. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to obtain the subtypes (ST) of the positive Blastocystis isolates. The result revealed 25.0% (3/12) contamination with Blastocystis in which ST1, ST2, and an unknown ST (with a high similarity to ST1) were detected in water samples from the upstream, downstream, and midstream, respectively of Pinang River. Our study also revealed similarities in the sizes of the isolates from different river points, which were notably more diminutive compared to the sizes of the parasites observed in existing data from human and animal isolates. The surface characteristics showed a collection of single and dividing cells with smooth, folded surfaces enclosed in a film-like layer. Additionally, there were roundish, irregularly shaped cells with rough surfaces, and a woolly appearance. This study has added to our knowledge of the surface ultrastructure of Blastocystis and its possible contribution to the pathogenicity of the parasite.

Zooplankton Assemblages in a Heavily Polluted River Ecosystem (Pinang River, Malaysia): Impacts of Anthropogenic Stressors on the Communities

River ecosystems are among the most affected habitats globally due to various anthropogenic stressors such as pollution, habitat degradation, hydromorphological alterations and impervious cover due to urbanization. It remains largely unknown how and to what extent zooplankton communities are affected by these stressors in a heavily polluted river ecosystem. This study investigated the abundance and distribution of zooplankton species and the factors affecting their abundance and distribution in Pinang River. A total of 29 taxa of zooplankton were recorded, which includes 27 taxa of Rotifera and two taxa of Copepoda. Among rotifers, the order Bdelloidea had the highest relative abundance (64.79%), followed by Testudinella sp. and Lecane sp. with 10% relative abundance respectively. Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed that the zooplankton abundance was negatively correlated with total dissolved solids and conductivity (P < 0.01). Much higher total dissolved solids and water conductivity, much lower zooplankton abundance. This condition is probably to be unfavorable to the zooplankton population as it is attributed to the presence of extreme anthropogenic activities along the river that cause runoff with high suspended matter. Thus, variations in zooplankton biodiversity reflect the deterioration of water quality in the polluted river ecosystem.

Різноманіття епіпельних ціанобактерій басейну р. Пінанг, Малайзія, виявлене за допомогою метагеномного підходу на основі 16S

Cyanobacteria are the most widespread group of photosynthetic prokaryotes. They are primary producers in a wide variety of habitats and are able to thrive in harsh environments, including polluted waters; therefore, this study was conducted to explore the cyanobacterial populations inhabiting river tributaries with different levels of pollution. Sediment samples (epipelon) were collected from selected tributaries of the Pinang River basin. Air Terjun (T1) and Air Itam rivers (T2) represent the upper streams of Pinang River basin, while Dondang (T3) and Jelutong rivers (T4) are located at in the middle of the river basin. The Pinang River (T5) is located near the estuary and is subjected to saline water intrusion during high tides. Cyanobacterial community was determined by identifying the taxa via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence data. 16S rRNA gene amplicons generated from collected samples were sequenced using illumina Miseq, with the targeted V3 and V4 regions yielding approximately 1 mln reads per sample. Synechococcus, Phormidium, Arthronema and Leptolyngbya were found in all samples. Shannon-Weiner diversity index was highest (H’ = 1.867) at the clean upstream station (T1), while the moderately polluted stream (T3) recorded the lowest diversity (H’ = 0.399), and relatively polluted stations (T4 and T5) recorded fairly high values of H’. This study provides insights into the cyanobacterial community structure in Pinang River basin via cultivation-independent techniques using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence. Occurrence of some morphospecies at specific locations showed that the cyanobacterial communities are quite distinct and have specific ecological demands. Some species which were ubiquitous might be able to tolerate varied environmental conditions.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Sediments in Sungai Pinang River Basin

A study was conducted to analyse the type and concentration of heavy metals found present in sediments samples in the Sungai Pinang river basin, Penang. River sediment samples were collected at both upstream and downstream along the main river channel of Sungai Pinang and its five tributaries including Sungai Air Terjun, Sungai Air Hitam, Sungai Air Putih, Sungai Dondang and Sungai Jelutong. A total of 19 sampling points were selected throughout the entire catchment area where nine points located at the main river of Sungai Pinang and the other 10 points located at the downstream and upstream of each tributaries. A total of 97 samples were obtained four times from January to February. Two types of analysis were applied to measure the heavy metal concentrations namely X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). For the XRF test, the selected compounds analysis containing heavy metals that was carried out were K2O, Na2O, CaO, MgO, MnO, Fe2O3, Al2O3, TiO2 and SiO2 while for the ICP-OES, specific heavy metals analysis were determined to test the presence of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Mg, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn. The highest concentration of K2O, Fe2O3, Al2O3 and SiO2 at the main river were 2.80%, 3.39%, 18.52%, and 74.18% respectively. The highest concentration of Ca, Cr, Zn, Mg and Fe recorded at main river are 35.9576, 17.0469, 5.8392, 39.5626 and 199.914mg/kg respectively. SAH (DS) has the highest percentage of SiO2 with the value of 93.44% followed by Al2O3 with value of 6.75% at SAT(DS) and K2O at SD (US) with the value of 3.06%. The highest concentration of Fe, Ca, Mg and Pb are 56.4778 mg/kg at SAT (US), 34.8247 mg/kg at SJ (US), 3.3633mg/kg at SD (US) and 7.1662mg/kg at SAT (US). It can be concluded, the pollutants in the sediments of Sungai Pinang are contributed by the urban housing area, commercial and agricultural area.

Concentration of copper (Cu) in tinfoil barb fish (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) of Kuantan River and Pinang River, Pahang, Malaysia

The study was conducted to determine of copper (Cu) in muscle tissue of Tinfoil Barn Fish (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii) and surface water at Kuantan River and Pinang River, Pahang. The study also determine the water quality parameters and water quality index (WQI). The fish was caught by using gill net and the were digest using acid digestion method and analysed by Inductive Coupled Plasma Micro Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The mean concentration of Cu in fish muscle was 0.5070 ± 0.01748 mg/kg for Kuantan River and 0.4732 ± 0.01807mg/kg for Pinang River which below the permissible limit set by Malaysia Food Act (MFA) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Cu concentration were 0.0052 ± 0.0004390 mg/kg in Kuantan River and 0.0017 ± 0.00006669 mg/kg in Pinang River. The level of Cu in both rivers were not harmful to the fish as the concentrations are below the permissible limit set by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and National Water Quality Standard (NWQS). There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the concentration of muscle tissue for Cu between rivers. In contrast, there showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the concentration of Cu in water between rivers. Kuantan River and Pinang River have been classified in Class II according to the Department of Environment (DOE) that the water must require conventional treatment for water supply purpose.

Bioconcentration of Aluminium and Copper in Giant Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii) From Several Rivers in Kuantan, Pahang Malaysia

Mining activities at the upstream of the Kuantan River basin can be resulted to adverse impacts for both human and aquatic lives. The heavy metal contamination of aquatic environment has gained the public attention. In fact, in recent decades, urban activities and industrial waste have led to an increase in contamination of heavy metals in the water bodies which may have direct effect on aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, this study aims to determine the level of Aluminium (Al) and Copper (Cu) in the muscle and gills of giant freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) collected from five selected rivers in Kuantan, Pahang. Field sampling was conducted between September and December 2017. The giant freshwater prawns were digested and then analysed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The obtained results revealed that, Al levels in muscle of M.rosenbergii among all rivers occurred in the rank order: Pandan river>Riau river> Pinang river> Kuantan>Balok river, while in gills: Pandan river>Kuantan river>Balok river>Pinang river>Riau river. The concentration of Cu in muscle were in order of: Pandan river>Pinang river> Riau river> Balok river > Kuantan river, whereas Cu in gills were: Pandan river>Balok river>Kuantan river>Pinang river > Riau river. The highest content level of Al and Cu in both prawn’s muscle (14.03 ± 3.55 and 12.28 ± 3.87) mg/kg and gills (7.06 ± 2.53 and 12.28 ± 3.87) mg/kg were caught from Pandan River. In risk and safety assessment, the metal concentrations in the edible muscle of prawn were found to be below the established limits by WHO (1982), MFA (1983, US FDA (2001), and JECFA (2000). Thisstudy suggests that the prawns caught from Kuantan river are safe for human consumption.

Water quality assessment of the rivers in bauxite mining area at Kuantan Pahang

This study was carried out to determine the water quality assessment in nearby rivers that in bauxite mining area. Water samples were collected at Kuantan River, Riau River, Pinang River and Pandan Rivers. In situ parameters used in this study were Temperature, pH, DO, TDS and BOD. Laboratory parameters analyzed in this study were TSS, Turbidity and COD. WQI was calculated using the formula from DOE 2012. Results showed that One-Way ANOVA test (P < 0.05) for Temperature, DO, Ammonia-Nitrogen, BOD, TSS, Turbidity and COD had significantly different between the rivers while pH and TDS shows not significantly different between the rivers. WQI of Kuantan River, Pandan River, Riau River and Pinang River were 77.141, 77.478, 81.238 and 83.164 respectively. All these rivvers were classified into class II based on INWQS and required conventional treatment for water supply purposes.Keywords: bauxite; water quality index; water quality; Pahang

Nitrogen and phosphate removal by free and immobilised cells of Scenedesmus bijugatus (Kützing) from the Pinang River estuary, Penang, Malaysia

ABSTRACTThis research studied the effects of inorganic nutrient removal by free and immobilized Scenedesmus bijugatus cells, measured by algal growth (i.e., the chlorophyll a concentration) and the efficiency of the uptake of inorganic nutrients by the cells (uptake rate (b) and removal percentage) in water samples from the organically polluted Pinang River estuary (PRE). Water samples from the PRE were collected during low and high tide. S. bijugatus cells had a higher growth rate when incubated in low tide PRE water samples compared to high tide PRE water samples, with a growth rate of 0.29 µgml−1d−1 and 0.06 µgml−1d−1 for free and immobilized cells, respectively. S. bijugatus was able to more efficiently remove nitrogen, especially ammonium (81–94%), compared to phosphate (62–88%) from both low and high tide water samples. S. bijugatus cells in low tide PRE water samples recorded highest phosphate (0.36 mgL−1d−1 and 0.25 mgL−1d−1 for free and immobilized cells, respectively) and ammonium uptake rates (0.44 mgL−1d−1 and 0.29 mgL−1d−1 for free and immobilized cells respectively). Both inorganic nutrient removal and microalgal cell growth were not significantly different between free and immobilized S. bijugatus (p > 0.05). The data obtained indicated that the removal of nutrients by microalgae was affected by salinity and the immobilization technique applied may have good potential for bioremediation.

Length-weight relationship and relative condition factor of Liza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836) in Pinang River Estuary, Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia

Length-weight relationship and relative condition factor (Kn) of greenback mullet Liza subviridis (Valenciennes, 1836) were estimated from 2286 samples (635 males and 1651 females) collected from the Pinang River Estuary, Balik Pulau, Penang from March 2013 to February 2014. The length-weight relationship and growth pattern were: W = 0.0117 L2.9989 (isometric) for pooled samples (male and female together), W = 0.0157 L2.8787 (negative allometric) for males and W = 0.0109 L3.0284 (isometric) for females. Independent t-test showed that female b value was higher than that of the males (p<0.05) with no significant difference between the wet and dry seasons (independent t-test, p>0.05). The mean Kn of L. subviridis was 1.01±0.13; however, no significant difference was detected between wet and dry seasons and between male and female samples (independent t-test, p>0.05).

Using Non-supervised Artificial Neural Network for Determination of Anthropogenic Disturbance in a River System.

The study of river water quality plays an important role in assessing the pollution status and health of the water bodies. Human-induced activities such as domestic activities, aquaculture, agriculture and industries have detrimentally affected the river water quality. Pinang River is one of the important rivers in Balik Pulau District that supplies freshwater for human consumption. A total of 442 physical and chemical parameters data of the Pinang River, Balik Pulau catchment were analysed to determine the sources of pollutants entering the river. Non-supervised artificial neural network (ANN) was employed to classify and cluster the river into upstream, middle-stream and downstream zones. The monitored data and non-supervised ANN analysis demonstrated that the source of nitrate was derived from the upper part of the Pinang River, Balik Pulau while the sources of nitrite, ammonia and ortho-phosphate are predominant at the middle-stream of the river system. Meanwhile, the sources of high total suspended solid and biological oxygen demand were concentrated at the downstream of the river.

Distribution of Heavy Metals and Rare Earth Elements in the Surface Sediments of Penang River Estuary, Malaysia

Geochemical sediment of the tropical Pinang River, Malaysia was carried out with the aim at documenting elemental concentrations and pollution level assessment. Concentration of selected heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn and Mn), rare earth elements, TOC and grain size distribution of sediments were determined at 100 m sampling interval along the river. Sediment size showed a positive correlation with ∑REE and Mn and medium correlations with TOC, Zn, Cu, Cr and Pb contents showing enrichment in the clay size fraction. Results of enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index showed that most of the elemental sources were natural (especially REE) and mostly likely represented background values. However, pollution load index revealed the higher levels of Cr, Cd, Zn and Pb, and, therefore, indicating to the anthropogenic sources (i.e. fishing activities) especially in the downstream locations. Thus, the Pinang River is classified as moderately to highly polluted.

Detection of River Pollution Using Water Quality Index: A Case Study of Tropical Rivers in Penang Island, Malaysia

A study on the Water Quality Index (WQI) has been conducted among 11 rivers in Penang Island, Malaysia from October 2012 to January 2013. The water quality status of rivers was classified based on the Interim National Water Quality Standard (INWQS) for Malaysia. The six water quality parameters used to determine the water quality index are dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solid (TSS), ammonia and pH value. Based on the WQI assessment, among the 11 rivers studied, none of the rivers were considered as clean. The upstream and middle stream of the Pinang River in Balik Pulau (with WQI = 69 and 70 respectively), the upstream and middle stream of the Kongsi River (with WQI = 67 and 72 respectively) and the upstream of the Betong River (with WQI = 63) were slightly polluted, while the rest of the rivers had a WQI of below 60, which were categorized as polluted rivers. Among the 30 sampling stations, 17 stations were classified as Class III (extensive treatment of water supply required; fish for common economic value, species tolerance, and for livestock drinking), and 13 stations were classified as Class IV water status, which was classified as irrigation according to INWQS. From this study, the WQI and river classification system were considered as a tool for assessing the health status of river water quality. Efficient and sustainable management of rivers in Penang Island should be emphasized in order to protect their aesthetic value for future generations.

Trends of Sediment Loading in Catchment Areas of Pinang River in Malaysia

This study aimed to investigate the trends of sediment loading in the Pinang River, a small microtidal tropical river system of 6.5 km length in Penang Island in Malaysia. It is classified as a primary coastal plain system and can be considered as a partial-mixed system whereby tidal influence extends up to the middle part of the river. This river has economic and strategic importance and serves as entrance for tourists to visit Penang National Park. Nevertheless, many anthropogenic activities occur along the river corridor, most of which have resulted in the deterioration of water quality. The purpose of this study was to provide a review on sedimentation loading in the river system. This study was carried out for 13 months during spring tide at both low and high tides, and wet and dry seasons to evaluate the pollution of sediment loadings by discharges from anthropogenic activities into the river. A total of 408 water samples were collected. High accumulation of sediments occurred, especially during low tide in the dry season with 428,816.2 kg/day (middle part) and 189,453.3 kg/day (lower part); these parts indicate the zone of sedimentation. The sediments were derived from soil erosion, effluent from aquaculture ponds during dry season as well as tidal mixing. These factors play an important role in deteriorating the river water transparency and cleanliness.

Effects of seasonality on streamflow and water quality of the Pinang River in Penang Island, Malaysia

For the Pinang River, originating in the western highlands of Penang Island, the nature, sources and extent of pollution were studied. The river water samples collected at five selected sites were analyzed for various physical and chemical parameters, namely temperature, DO, BOD, COD, SS, pH, ammoniac nitrogen (AN), and conductance. Long-term data of rainfall and temperature were analyzed to determine the seasonal variations of the streamflow. The streamflow during the dry season is extremely low compared to the wet season, thus concentrations of contaminants derived from point pollution source increase due to lack of rainfall and runoff events. On the contrary, in the predominantly urban and agricultural catchments, non-point pollution source increases during rainy season through seepage and runoff. Effects of seasonal variations consequently determine the quantity and quality of the water parameters. The Jelutong River, the Dondang River and the Air Itam River carry the seepage from widely urban and residential areas to the main Pinang River systems. Water quality of the Pinang River at different points assessed by the water quality indices was compared. According to the quality indices during the study period, water quality in the upper reaches of the river is medium to good. It dwindled in the plains, due to the seepage from urban areas and discharges from the industrial and agricultural lands.

Riparian land-use and land cover change analysis using GIS in Pinang river watershed, Malaysia

This study was conducted to develop appropriate mapping and assessment techniques to quantify the nature and magnitude of riparian landscape structural changes along the Pinang River using remote sending data. Based on stream order land-use ranks classification, the stream ecosystem health can be determined. The lower rank stream order segment indicates that, the stream ecosystem is in good condition. Vegetation land-use changes from 1992 to 2000, within fixed 50-m width stream buffer, were identified using GIS and used to estimate the riparian zone and subsequently calculate the landscape patterns using Patch Analyst. Since the Pinang River watershed is the most urbanized, it experienced rapid development and land-use changes that deteriorated the watershed ecosystem. The riparian land-use patterns in 1992 and 2000 were studied by landscape metrics such as areal percentage, patch number per unit area, landscape diversity, evenness index, and mean fractal dimension. The results show that in vegetation areas have significantly decreased mainly due to conversion to urban and built-up, agricultural, and recreational land. Thus, riparian vegetation corridors have become more fragmented, isolated, and much smaller. The large proportion of deforested riparian areas within stream order segments raises serious questions about the watershed ecosystems health and the longer term possibility of river degradation by upland clearing. Furthermore, most of the agricultural land is being displaced to the hill slopes and hilly area (85% of first-order stream located), while urban and built-up developments are gradually replacing the original agricultural land. Based on landscape metrics, it has been revealed that landscape metrics indices are significant for evaluating the riparian land-use and land cover change, in addition integration of GIS and remote sensing to quantify landscape structure is a feasible and efficient way to evaluate the temporal effect of land-use activities on watersheds.

Phycoperiphyton assemblages in the Pinang River Basin (Malaysia); a case study on algal population and composition of a polluted river

Phycoperiphyton assemblages in the Pinang River Basin (Malaysia); a case study on algal population and composition of a polluted river

Application of GIS and remote sensing for measuring and evaluating land-use change and its impact on water quality in the Pinang River watershed

Human activities in the Pinang River watershed have dramatically changed landuse and land cover characteristics, and have subsequently altered hydrological and watershed processes. Pinang River water quality in downstream areas is badly polluted, based on the Malaysian Department of Environment-Water quality index (DOE-WQI) classification. In order to assess the past and present water quality and the possible uses of the Pinang River, a water quality index was applied to a data set collected for this study, which is based on the Malaysia DOE-WQI standards. This study investigated the land-use and land cover changes, which are the main contributors to the water quality and hydrological problems in this watershed. With some information derived from Landsat images, Geographic Information System (GIS) application and land-use/land cover map, we identified the land-use changes and landscape patterns in the Pinang River watershed. The results showed that forested and scrub areas decreased rapidly within the sub-watersheds as well as the entire watershed, in contrast to the urban or built-up areas. Statistical analysis indicates that impervious land parcels are increasing, which contribute to water pollution and watershed degradation. Based on land-use fragmentation and diversity indices, it was revealed that these indices are reliable tools for measuring and evaluating land-use and land cover changes for the general guideline for watershed management. This study revealed that integration of GIS and remote sensing (RS) data to quantify landscape structure is a feasible and efficient method for evaluating the temporal effect of land-use activities in the river basin for watershed planning and future development.

Aquatic pollution assessment based on attached diatom communities in the Pinang River Basin, Malaysia

The diatom communities collected from artificial substrates (glass slides) at 12 sampling sites along Pinang River Basin were analysed. Species composition was highly variable among sampling sites, and the highest diversity value (mean H′ = 3.56 bit/individual) and species richness (mean S = 17.32) was recorded at a polluted station in an estuary, which received salt-water intrusion during high tide. The downstream sampling stations were heavily organically polluted with Saprobic Index values ranging between 2.81 and 3.10, while upstream stations were relatively clean with Saprobic Index values recorded between 1.40 and 1.96. The diatom community structure and the specific sensitivity of certain diatom species can be related to the degree of water quality in Pinang River Basin. The abundance of certain diatom species could be used as biological indicators to measure impacts of river pollution.

Periphyton biomass related to water pollution in the Pinang River basin, Malaysia

Periphyton biomass related to water pollution in the Pinang River basin, Malaysia

Benthic diatoms in the Pinang River (Malaysia) and its tributaries with emphasis on species diversity and water quality

Benthic diatoms in the Pinang River (Malaysia) and its tributaries with emphasis on species diversity and water quality