Displaying publications 2741 - 2760 of 3987 in total

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  1. Living on the edge
    Hinrichsen D
    Earthwatch, 1989.
    PMID: 12285899
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Supply*
  2. Environmental factors in the relationship between breastfeeding and infant mortality: the role of sanitation and water in Malaysia
    Butz WP, Habicht JP, DaVanzo J
    Am J Epidemiol, 1984 Apr;119(4):516-25.
    PMID: 6711541
    Mothers' recall data collected in Malaysia in 1976-1977 are analyzed to study correlates of mortality of 5471 infants. Respondent population is 1262 women living in 52 primary sampling units of Peninsular Malaysia. Lengths of unsupplemented and supplemented breastfeeding and presence of piped household water and toilet sanitation are related to infant mortality in regressions that also control other correlates. The analysis is disaggregated into three periods of infancy. Through six months of feeding, unsupplemented breastfeeding is more strongly associated with fewer infant deaths than is supplemented breastfeeding. Type of sanitation is generally more strongly associated with mortality than is type of water supply. The effects of breastfeeding and the environmental variables are shown to be strongly interactive and to change systematically during the course of infancy. Breastfeeding is more strongly associated with infant survival in homes without piped water or toilet sanitation. In homes with both modern facilities, supplemented breastfeeding has no significant effect, and unsupplemented breastfeeding is statistically significant only for mortality in days 8-28. Presence of modern water and sanitation systems appears unimportant for mortality of infants who are breastfed without supplementation for six months.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Supply*
  3. Maternal literacy modifies the effect of toilets and piped water on infant survival in Malaysia
    Esrey SA, Habicht JP
    Am J Epidemiol, 1988 May;127(5):1079-87.
    PMID: 3358408 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a114884
    The effect of toilets, piped water, and maternal literacy on infant mortality was analyzed using data from the Malaysian Family Life Survey collected in 1976-1977. The effect of toilets and piped water on infant mortality was dependent on whether or not mothers were literate. The impact of having toilets was greater among the illiterate than among the literate, but the impact of piped water was greater among the literate than among the illiterate. The effect on the infant mortality rate for toilets decreased from 130.7 +/- 17.2 deaths in the absence of literate mothers to 76.2 +/- 25.9 deaths in the presence of literate mothers. The reduction in the mortality rate for maternal literacy dropped from 44.4 +/- 14.1 deaths without toilets to -10.1 +/- 23.9 deaths with toilets. Reductions in mortality rates for piped water increased from 16.7 +/- 12.7 deaths without literate mothers to 36.8 +/- 21.0 deaths with literate mothers. Similarly, reductions in the mortality rate for maternal literacy rose from 44.4 +/- 14.1 deaths in the absence of piped water to 64.5 +/- 19.5 deaths in the presence of piped water. The results from a logistic model provided inferences similar to those from ordinary least squares. The authors infer that literate mothers protect their infants especially in unsanitary environments lacking toilets, and that when piped water is introduced, they use it more effectively to practice better hygiene for their infants.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Supply*
  4. Diarrhoeal diseases in rural Malaysia: risk factors in young children
    Lye MS
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1984 Apr;13(2):156-62.
    PMID: 6497315
    A survey was conducted in six selected rural villages to obtain baseline data on socioeconomic status, nutrition, environmental sanitation and behavioural aspects in relation to diarrhoeal diseases, using a standard questionnaire. Subsequent to this, children 0-4 years of age were followed weekly for six months for diarrhoeal disease. Eleven variables representing socioeconomic status, nutritional status, housing condition, environmental sanitation, mother's knowledge and beliefs were investigated using stepwise logistic regression to determine significant predictors of diarrhoeal disease. Children who were below two years of age, living in conditions of poor sanitation and poor quality water supply, whose houses were prone to flooding and who had mothers whose sanitary habits were not influenced by their religious beliefs, were at significantly greater risk of diarrhoeal disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Supply/standards
  5. Effect of iodination of a village water-supply on goitre size and thyroid function
    Maberly GF, Eastman CJ, Corcoran JM
    Lancet, 1981 Dec 05;2(8258):1270-2.
    PMID: 6118679
    An iodinator was fitted to the existing gravity-fed water-supply of a remote village in Sarawak, Malaysia, where goitre was endemic. Within nine months, the prevalence of goitre had been reduced from 61% to 30%, with 79% of goitres showing visible reduction in size. All subjects were clinically euthyroid before and nine months after the start of iodination, although pre-treatment serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations varied from normal up to 24 mU/l. Before treatment basal serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations were typical of endemic goitre with a low mean serum T4 (80 +/- 30 [SD] nmol/l) and a slightly raised mean serum T3 (2.3 +/- 0.7 nmol/l). After iodination, circulating TSH concentration was generally undetectable (less than 0.1 mU/l), mean T3 concentration was unchanged, but the mean T4 rose significantly to 109 +/- 41 nmol/l (p less than 0.01). Urinary iodine concentrations fluctuated; this largely reflected intermittent blockage of the iodinator, but concentrations became consistent with a return to the iodine-replete state. There was no evidence of the Jod Basedow effect in the group studied. Iodinated water was more convenient to distribute than iodised salt and is less likely to cause Jod Basedow phenomenon than are injections of iodised oil. Moreover, iodination of water is effective in killing most microorganisms and this additional benefit could contribute significantly to village health.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Supply*
  6. Contamination of butyltin compounds in Malaysian marine environments
    Sudaryanto A, Takahashi S, Iwata H, Tanabe S, Ismail A
    Environ Pollut, 2004 Aug;130(3):347-58.
    PMID: 15182968
    Concentration of butyltin compounds (BTs), including tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) and total tin (SigmaSn) were determined in green mussel (Perna viridis), 10 species of muscle fish and sediment from coastal waters of Malaysia. BTs were detected in all these samples ranging from 3.6 to 900 ng/g wet wt., 3.6 to 210 ng/g wet wt., and 18 to 1400 ng/g dry wt. for mussels, fish and sediments, respectively. The concentrations of BTs in several locations of this study were comparable with the reported values from some developed countries and highest among Asian developing nations. Considerable concentration of BTs in several locations might have ecotoxicological consequences and may cause concern to human health. The parent compound TBT was found to be highest than those of its degradation compounds, DBT and MBT, suggesting recent input of TBT to the Malaysian marine environment. Significant positive correlation (Spearman rank correlation: r2=0.82, P<0.0001) was found between BTs and SigmaSn, implying considerable anthropogenic input of butyltin compounds to total tin contamination levels. Enormous boating activities may be a major source of BTs in this country, although aquaculture activities may not be ignored.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
  7. Engineering and malaria control: learning from the past 100 years
    Konradsen F, van der Hoek W, Amerasinghe FP, Mutero C, Boelee E
    Acta Trop, 2004 Jan;89(2):99-108.
    PMID: 14732233
    Traditionally, engineering and environment-based interventions have contributed to the prevention of malaria in Asia. However, with the introduction of DDT and other potent insecticides, chemical control became the dominating strategy. The renewed interest in environmental-management-based approaches for the control of malaria vectors follows the rapid development of resistance by mosquitoes to the widely used insecticides, the increasing cost of developing new chemicals, logistical constraints involved in the implementation of residual-spraying programs and the environmental concerns linked to the use of persistent organic pollutants. To guide future research and operational agendas focusing on environmental-control interventions, it is necessary to learn from the successes and failures from the time before the introduction of insecticides. The objective of this paper is to describe the experiences gained in Asia with early vector control interventions focusing on cases from the former Indian Punjab, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The paper deals primarily with the agricultural engineering and land and water management vector control interventions implemented in the period 1900-1950. The selected cases are discussed in the wider context of environment-based approaches for the control of malaria vectors, including current relevance. Clearly, some of the interventions piloted and implemented early in the last century still have relevance today but generally in a very site-specific manner and in combination with other preventive and curative activities. Some of the approaches followed earlier on to support implementation would not be acceptable or feasible today, from a social or environmental point of view.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Supply*
  8. Interactive effects of dietary palm oil concentration and water temperature on lipid digestibility in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
    Ng WK, Campbell PJ, Dick JR, Bell JG
    Lipids, 2003 Oct;38(10):1031-8.
    PMID: 14669967
    An experiment was conducted to evaluate the interactive effects of dietary crude palm oil (CPO) concentration and water temperature on lipid and FA digestibility in rainbow trout. Four isolipidic diets with 0, 5, 10, or 20% (w/w) CPO, at the expense of fish oil, were formulated and fed to groups of trout maintained at water temperatures of 7, 10, or 15 degrees C. The apparent digestibility (AD) of the FA, measured using yttrium oxide as an inert marker, decreased with increasing chain length and increased with increasing unsaturation within each temperature regimen irrespective of CPO level fed to the fish. PUFA of the n-3 series were preferentially absorbed compared to n-6 PUFA in all diet and temperature treatments. Except for a few minor FA, a significant (P < 0.05) interaction between diet and temperature effects on FA digestibility was found. Increasing dietary levels of CPO lead to significant reductions in the AD of saturates and, to a lesser extent, also of the other FA. Lowering water temperature reduced total saturated FA digestibility in trout regardless of CPO level. Based on the lipid class composition of trout feces, this reduction in AD of saturates was due in part to the increasing resistance of dietary TAG to digestion. Increasing CPO level and decreasing water temperature significantly increased TAG content in trout fecal lipids, with saturates constituting more than 60% of the FA composition. Total monoene and PUFA digestibilities were not significantly affected by water temperature in fish fed up to 10% CPO in their diet. The potential impact of reduced lipid and FA digestibility in cold-water fish fed diets supplemented with high levels of CPO on fish growth performance requires further research.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water*
  9. Sorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) in aqueous solution by ethylenediamine modified rice hull
    Tang PL, Lee CK, Low KS, Zainal Z
    Environ Technol, 2003 Oct;24(10):1243-51.
    PMID: 14669804
    The sorption characteristics of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) by ethylenediamine modified rice hull from single and binary metal ion solutions were evaluated under various experimental conditions. Optimal Cr(VI) and Cu(II) removal from single metal ion solutions occurred at pH 2.0 and 5.5, respectively. Simultaneous removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) occurred at pH greater than 3.0. The sorption kinetics of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) from single and binary metal ion solutions were studied with reference to metal concentration, agitation rate and particle size. Sorption of Cr(VI) was more rapid than Cu(II). The kinetics of metal ion sorption fitted a pseudo-second order expression. The variation in the initial uptake rates was very small at an agitation rate beyond 150 rpm and sorption was generally independent of particle size. Equilibrium sorption data could be fitted into the Langmuir isotherm equation. Maximum sorption capacities of ethylenediamine modified rice hull for Cr(VI) at pH 2 and Cu(II) at pH 4 in single metal solutions were 0.45 and 0.06 mmol g(-1), respectively. This corresponds to an enhancement factor of 2.6 and 3 fold for Cr(VI) and Cu(II), respectively, compared to natural rice hull. A synergistic effect was observed for sorption of these ions in binary metal solutions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants/isolation & purification*
  10. Socio-cultural aspects of a cholera epidemic in Trengganu, Malaysia
    Chen PC
    Trop Geogr Med, 1971 Sep;23(3):296-303.
    PMID: 5099001
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollution; Water Supply
  11. Fulltext Effects of aquatic exercise on physical function and fitness among people with spinal cord injury: A systematic review
    Li C, Khoo S, Adnan A
    Medicine (Baltimore), 2017 Mar;96(11):e6328.
    PMID: 28296754 DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000006328
    OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to synthesize the evidence on the effects of aquatic exercise interventions on physical function and fitness among people with spinal cord injury.

    DATA SOURCE: Six major databases were searched from inception till June 2015: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsychInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials.

    STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Two reviewers independently rated methodological quality using the modified Downs and Black Scale and extracted and synthesized key findings (i.e., participant characteristics, study design, physical function and fitness outcomes, and adverse events).

    RESULTS: Eight of 276 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which none showed high research quality. Four studies assessed physical function outcomes and 4 studies evaluated aerobic fitness as outcome measures. Significant improvements on these 2 outcomes were generally found. Other physical or fitness outcomes including body composition, muscular strength, and balance were rarely reported.

    CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: There is weak evidence supporting aquatic exercise training to improve physical function and aerobic fitness among adults with spinal cord injury. Suggestions for future research include reporting details of exercise interventions, evaluating other physical or fitness outcomes, and improving methodological quality.

    Matched MeSH terms: Water*
  12. FTIR, CHNS and XRD analyses define mechanism of glyphosate herbicide removal by electrocoagulation
    Danial R, Sobri S, Abdullah LC, Mobarekeh MN
    Chemosphere, 2019 Oct;233:559-569.
    PMID: 31195261 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.010
    In this study, the performance of glyphosate removal in an electrocoagulation batch with two electrodes formed by the same metal type, consisting of aluminum, iron, steel and copper have been compared. The aim of this study intends to remove glyphosate from an aqueous solution by an electrocoagulation process using metal electrode plates, which involves electrogeneration of metal cations as coagulant agents. The production of metal cations showed an ability to bind together to form aggregates of flocs composed of a combination of glyphosate and metal oxide. Electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes indicated a high percentage removal of glyphosate, 94.25%; followed by iron electrodes, 88.37%; steel electrodes, 62.82%; and copper electrodes, 46.69%. The treated aqueous solution was then analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Percentages of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulfur remaining in the treated aqueous solution after the electrocoagulation process have been determined. The treated water and sludge were characterized and the mechanism of the overall process was concluded as an outcome. An X-Ray Diffraction analysis of dried sludge confirmed that new polymeric compounds were formed during the treatment. The sludge composed of new compounds were also verified the removals. This study revealed that an electrocoagulation process using metal electrodes is reliable and efficient.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Purification/methods
  13. A facile water-induced complexation of lycopene and pectin from pink guava byproduct: Extraction, characterization and kinetic studies
    Nagarajan J, Krishnamurthy NP, Nagasundara Ramanan R, Raghunandan ME, Galanakis CM, Ooi CW
    Food Chem, 2019 Oct 30;296:47-55.
    PMID: 31202305 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.05.135
    The redfleshed pulp discarded from pink guava puree industry is a rich source of lycopene and pectin. In this study, we developed a facile extraction process employing water as the primary extraction medium to isolate the lycopene and pectin from pink guava decanter. When the decanter was suspended in water, the complexation of lycopene and pectin formed the cloudy solution, where the colloidal complexes were recovered through centrifugation. The presence of lycopene and pectin in the complex was confirmed by the spectroscopic, microscopic and chromatographic analyses. The lycopene fractionated from the complexes had a purity level of 99% and was in all-trans configuration. The colloidal complexes yielding the highest concentration of lycopene was obtained at pH 7, 1% (w/v) solid loading and 25 °C. The experimental data of time-course extraction of lycopene-pectin complex were best fitted with two-site kinetic model, hinting the fast- and slow-release phases in the extraction process.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  14. Fulltext Subcritical Water-Carbon Dioxide Pretreatment of Oil Palm Mesocarp Fiber for Xylooligosaccharide and Glucose Production
    Ahmad N, Zakaria MR, Mohd Yusoff MZ, Fujimoto S, Inoue H, Ariffin H, et al.
    Molecules, 2018 May 30;23(6).
    PMID: 29848973 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061310
    The present work aimed to investigate the pretreatment of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) in subcritical H₂O-CO₂ at a temperature range from 150⁻200 °C and 20⁻180 min with CO₂ pressure from 3⁻5 MPa. The pretreated solids and liquids from this process were separated by filtration and characterized. Xylooligosaccharides (XOs), sugar monomers, acids, furans and phenols in the pretreated liquids were analyzed by using HPLC. XOs with a degree of polymerization X2⁻X4 comprising xylobiose, xylotriose, xylotetraose were analyzed by using HPAEC-PAD. Enzymatic hydrolysis was performed on cellulose-rich pretreated solids to observe xylose and glucose production. An optimal condition for XOs production was achieved at 180 °C, 60 min, 3 MPa and the highest XOs obtained was 81.60 mg/g which corresponded to 36.59% of XOs yield from total xylan of OPMF. The highest xylose and glucose yields obtained from pretreated solids were 29.96% and 84.65%, respectively at cellulase loading of 10 FPU/g-substrate.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry*
  15. Transfer of the waterfall source isolate Pectobacterium carotovorum M022 to Pectobacterium fontis sp. nov., a deep-branching species within the genus Pectobacterium
    Oulghazi S, Cigna J, Lau YY, Moumni M, Chan KG, Faure D
    Int J Syst Evol Microbiol, 2019 Feb;69(2):470-475.
    PMID: 30601112 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.003180
    Pectobacterium carotovorum M022T has been isolated from a waterfall source in Selangor district (Malaysia). Using genomic and phenotypic tests, we re-examined the taxonomical position of this strain. Based on 14 concatenated housekeeping genes (fusA, rpoD, rpoS, acnA, purA, gyrB, recA, mdh, mtlD, groEL, secY, glyA, gapA and rplB), multi-locus sequence analysis revealed that strain M022T falls into a novel clade separated from the other Pectobacterium species. The in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values were lower than the 70 and 95 % threshold values, respectively. In addition, by combining genomic and phenotypic tests, strain M022T may be distinguished from the other Pectobacterium isolates by its incapacity to grow on d(+)-xylose, l-rhamnose, cellobiose and lactose. Strain M022T (=CFBP 8629T=LMG 30744T) is proposed as the type strain of the Pectobacteriumfontis sp. nov.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Microbiology*
  16. Ultrasonic synthesis of CuO nanoflakes: A robust electrochemical scaffold for the sensitive detection of phenolic hazard in water and pharmaceutical samples
    Hwa KY, Karuppaiah P, Gowthaman NSK, Balakumar V, Shankar S, Lim HN
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2019 Nov;58:104649.
    PMID: 31450344 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104649
    Hydroquinone (HQ), a phenolic compound is expansively used in many industrial applications and due to the utilization of HQ, water pollution tragedies frequently found by the improper handling and accidental outflows. When HQ is adsorbed directly through the skin that create toxic effects to human by affecting kidney, liver, lungs, and urinary tract and hence, a highly selective and sensitive technique is required for its quantification. Herein, we have developed the ultrasonic synthesis of copper oxide nanoflakes (CuO-NFs) using ultrasonic bath (20 kHz, 100 W) and successfully employed for the sensitive detection of the environmental hazardous pollutant HQ. The formed CuO-NFs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), FT-IR spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy and fabricated with the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The SEM images exhibited the uniform CuO-NFs with an average width of 85 nm. The linker-free CuO-NFs fabricated electrode showed the appropriate wide range of concentrations from 0.1 to 1400 µM and the limit of detection was found to be 10.4 nM towards HQ. The fabricated sensor having long term stability and sensitivity was successfully applied for the environmental and commercial real sample analysis and exhibited good recovery percentage, implying that the SPCE/CuO-NFs is an economically viable and benign robust scaffold for the determination of HQ.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry*
  17. Sequential ultrasonication and deep eutectic solvent pretreatment to remove lignin and recover xylose from oil palm fronds
    Ong VZ, Wu TY, Lee CBTL, Cheong NWR, Shak KPY
    Ultrason Sonochem, 2019 Nov;58:104598.
    PMID: 31450331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.05.015
    This study demonstrated the effect of two-pot sequential pretreatment, comprising of ultrasound assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) with the aim to investigate the effects of ultrasound amplitude and duration in enhancing delignification. Oil palm fronds (OPF) were ultrasonicated in a water medium, followed by a pretreatment using DES (choline chloride:urea). Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, Brunauer-Emmet-Teller and solubilised lignin concentration were conducted to confirm the effectiveness of ultrasound assisted DES on the pretreatment of OPF. The recommended ultrasound conditions were determined to be 70% amplitude and duration of 30 min, where the sequential DES pretreatment was able to reduce lignin content of OPF to 14.01%, while improving xylose recovery by 58%.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water/chemistry
  18. The sources and ecological risk assessment of elemental pollution in sediment of Linggi estuary, Malaysia
    Elias MS, Ibrahim S, Samuding K, Rahman SA, Hashim A
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2018 Dec;137:646-655.
    PMID: 30503479 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.006
    In this study, concentrations of heavy metals, rare earth elements (REEs), Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th) of the actinide group were determined from Linggi estuary sediment samples by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductive coupled plasma - mass spectrometry techniques. The geo-accumulation (Igeo) and ecological risk index (Ri) values were calculated to identify the quality status of Linggi estuary sediments. Results indicated Linggi estuary was polluted by arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and antimony (Sb). REEs, U and Th showed significant increase of concentration in Linggi estuary sediments. Ri of Linggi estuary was categorised as low to considerable ecological risk, which indicates no significant to moderate effect on the majority of the sediment-dwelling organisms. Correlation matrix and principal component analysis assessed pollution sources to be both natural and anthropogenic.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
  19. Fulltext Aquaponics recirculation system: a sustainable food source for the future water conserves and resources
    Azizah Endut, Fathurrahman Lananan, Ahmad Jusoh, Wan Norsani Wan Nik, Nora'aini Ali
    Malaysian Journal of Applied Sciences, 2018;1(1):1-12.
    MyJurnal
    The current and escalating extent of soil degradation, water scarcity and environmental concern
    plaguing agricultural productivity, demands re-assessing the direction of food production. Aquaponics
    is a concept relatively new to modern food production methods and can contribute to food security.
    This study was conducted to establish sustainable aquaculture systems that maximize benefits and
    minimize the accumulation of detrimental compounds and other types of negative impacts on both
    natural and social environments. This study carried out at an average inflow rate of 1.28 m/day to
    evaluate the operation of the aquaponics recirculation system (ARS) on nutrients removal and growth
    and yield of African catfish as well as water spinach. A special design of ARS was used to provide
    nitrification of fishery wastewater, where the combination of sands and gravels in hydroponics trough,
    providing both surfaces for biofuel development and cultivation area for plants. Removal efficiencies
    of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), total ammonia nitrogen
    (TAN), nitrite-nitrogen (NO2-N), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), and orthophosphate (PO4
    3-
    ) were 82%, 89%,
    93%, 94%, 81%, and 80%, respectively. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and specific growth rate
    (SGR) of African catfish were 1.08 and 3.34% day-1
    , respectively. The average water spinach
    production was 3.56 kg per m2
    . This study showed that ARS is a method of producing crop along with
    a healthy protein source and among the best alternatives for achieving economic and environmental
    sustainability.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water; Waste Water
  20. Effects of tourism-derived sewage on coral reefs: Isotopic assessments identify effective bioindicators
    Lachs L, Johari NAM, Le DQ, Safuan CDM, Duprey NN, Tanaka K, et al.
    Mar Pollut Bull, 2019 Nov;148:85-96.
    PMID: 31422307 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.059
    Pulau Redang and Pulau Tioman have experienced huge tourism growth over the last two decades, but minimal sewage treatment may threaten the resilience of their coral reefs. This study uses stable isotope techniques to identify suitable bioindicators of sewage nutrients (δ15N) at these islands by measuring macroalgae (Lobophora spp.), gastropods (Drupella spp.), scleractinian coral (Acropora spp.), and leather coral (Sinularia spp.). At tourist hubs using seepage septic tank systems, enrichment of Acropora δ15N (Redang, +0.7‰) and Sinularia δ15N (Tioman, +0.4‰) compared to pristine background levels indicate enhanced sewage nutrient discharge. Carbon isotopes and survey data suggest that sedimentation did not confound these δ15N trends. Potential damaging effects of sewage discharge on the coral reef communities at both islands are highlighted by strong correlations between Acropora δ15N and regional variation in coral reef community structure, and exclusive occurrence of degraded reefs at regions of high sewage influence.
    Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*
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