Summary Project
SUMMARY
The presence of high concentration of heavy metals and dyes in natural water supplies and industrial wastewater streams is a critical health and environmental issues due to their persistence, high toxicity and bioaccumulation through the food chain and hence in the human body. Technologies based on the utilization of magnetite nanoparticles for the removal of these toxic pollutants from wastewaters are under active development as highly effective, efficient and economically viable nanoadsorbents. This study aims to fabricate and characterize a magnetite modified carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite adsorbent. The best condition for adsorbent will be optimized using response surface methodology and the best removal of heavy metals and dyes will be determined using synthesized nanocomposite adsorbent. Although there is much recent interest in the use of engineered magnetite nanoparticles in wastewater treatment, however, uncertainties over the environmental fate of the nanocomposite adsorbent need to be addressed prior to their widespread application. Therefore, the environmental (LCA) aperformance of the scale-up magnetite modified CNT nanocomposite adsorbent will be assessed. Conversion of waste to green material and fabrication of magnetite modified CNT nanocomposite adsorbent for simultaneous removal of dyes and metal ions can support waste management strategy towards circular economy and strategic decision making process for cleaner production in Malaysia.
SUMMARY
Fisheries managers and scientists worldwide are struggling with a lack of basic information for many shark species. One factor hampering the data collection is inaccurate identification of many chondrichthyan species and their body parts. Morphologically similar species, and specimens which are poorly preserved or have had key diagnostic features removed, can be difficult to identify. In Malaysia, about 63 species of sharks have been identified and the number of species documented varies over the years due to their migratory behavior. on the other hand, Malaysia is one of the thirteen shark-harvesting countries having national plans of action for conserving and managing sharks (NPOA-Sharks) being the fourth major shark exporter in South East Asia. Since Malaysia shares boundaries with Major shark exporters such as Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines, it is an immediate need to revise the number of shark species inhabiting in Malaysian waters. To address this issue, We will adopt DNA barcoding as a method to identify shark species from body parts (fins), confiscated from a vessel fishing in Malaysian waters and markets. DNA samples will be isolated from species of sharks inhabiting in Malaysian waters. PCR amplification will be carried out to target COX1 gene and sequence similarity with existing shark DNA sequences in public databases will be carried our using BLAST and BOLD analysis. Though, Shark is by catch fishery in Malaysia, the outcome of this research will shed light upon list existing shark species in Malaysian waters together with distinct insight on the existing status on illegal fishery of shark species in comparison to the list provided by IUCN and CITES. The impact of this research will help in revising National Plans of Action for Conserving and Managing Sharks (NPOA-SHARK) action plan 2 for the sustainable future fishery of sharks in Malaysia.
SUMMARY
Horseshoe crabs fishery is recently attracted by Malaysian fisherman due to high demand and market price. The price of horseshoe crab has increased dramatically from RM2/piece (in year 2010) to RM 15/piece (in year 2015). Due to high market value, they are being harvested even before they reach shore (mainly through handpicking during full and new moon time) by fishermen in Pahang, Johor and Melaka. This eventually will lead to depletion of natural stock size. Hence, this research will focus on developing seedlings (trilobite larvae) of horseshoe crab which can be used to restore the natural stock. Captive spawning technique will be adopted to spawn the adult horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus gigas) in rectangular tanks and the fertilized eggs (N=100000 target) will be incubated until they reach trilobite and post trilobite stage (up to 18 months). After determining the healthy condition of seedlings, Sea ranching program will be conducted to restore the natural stock in batch wise manner in selected nesting beaches (Pekan, Balok in Kuantan and Air keroh, Melaka) which can be used to establish future horseshoe crab sanctuary to attract and inspire tourists. This practice can be continuously carried out to manage the sustainable fishery practice of horseshoe crab in Malaysia. It will also be a way forward for developing Artificial sanctuary for this exotic species. In future, the ranching spot can be of tourist attraction similar to a sanctuary in Delawary bay, US.