Relationships between six calcifying plankton groups and pH are explored in a highly biologically productive and data-rich area of the central North Sea using time-series datasets. The long-term trends show that abundances of foraminiferans, coccolithophores, and echinoderm larvae have risen over the last few decades while the abundances of bivalves and pteropods have declined. Despite good coverage of pH data for the study area there is uncertainty over the quality of this historical dataset; pH appears to have been declining since the mid 1990s but there was no statistical connection between the abundance of the calcifying plankton and the pH trends. If there are any effects of pH on calcifying plankton in the North Sea they appear to be masked by the combined effects of other climatic (e.g. temperature), chemical (nutrient concentrations) and biotic (predation) drivers. Certain calcified plankton have proliferated in the central North Sea, and are tolerant of changes in pH that have occurred since the 1950s but bivalve larvae and pteropods have declined. An improved monitoring programme is required as ocean acidification may be occurring at a rate that will exceed the environmental niches of numerous planktonic taxa, testing their capacities for acclimation and genetic adaptation.
Kajian ini memberi tumpuan terhadap salah satu kategori lakuan bahasa yang diperkenalkan oleh Searle (1969), iaitu lakuan ekspresi. Lakuan ekspresi ialah ujaran-ujaran yang menunjukkan pernyataan psikologi yang memberi gambaran tentang sikap dan perasaan penutur. Analisis kajian ini dilakukan terhadap ujaran-ujaran yang terdapat dalam 40 artikel kritikan Tun Dr. Mahathir dalam isu 1MDB. Melalui kajian ini, sebanyak lima kategori telah dikenal pasti, iaitu lakuan pernyataan, lakuan kritikan, lakuan rujukan, lakuan arahan, dan lakuan ekspresi. Namun demikian, kajian ini hanya memberi tumpuan terhadap lakuan bahasa ekspresi. Analisis mendapati lakuan ekspresi menunjukkan bilangan ujaran paling sedikit berbanding dengan kategori lakuan bahasa yang lain, iaitu sebanyak 20 kekerapan. Lakuan pernyataan mencatatkan kekerapan tertinggi, dengan jumlah kekerapan sebanyak 1302 ujaran, diikuti oleh lakuan kritikan di tempat kedua dengan kekerapan sebanyak 828. Lakuan rujukan dan lakuan arahan masing-masing dengan kekerapan sebanyak 297 dan 128. Hal ini menunjukkan bahawa Tun Dr. Mahathir melakukan kritikan tanpa mengutamakan ekspresi perasaan atau emosi. Sebanyak tujuh sublakuan ekspresi yang ditemui, iaitu lakuan bimbang, hairan, ucapan selamat, kehendak, enggan, minta maaf, dan ucapan terima kasih. Hal ini merumuskan bahawa dalam kritikan, khususnya kritikan bertulis, Tun Dr. Mahathir tidak menunjukkan ekspresi emosi yang berlebihan.
Suatu kajian untuk menilai kesan gabungan aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim terhadap kualiti sumber air telah dijalankan di Terusan Utara, Kedah. Kajian ini dijalankan di lima stesen terpilih selama 12 bulan berdasarkan Indeks Kualiti Air (WQI) dan Piawaian Interim Kualiti Air Kebangsaan (INWQS). Kajian mendapati kualiti air di Terusan Utara berada pada Kelas III dan berlaku peningkatan kualiti air dari hulu ke hilir. Hampir semua stesen berpotensi sebagai punca pencemaran berdasarkan aktiviti guna tanah terutamanya di Pelubang, Jitra serta Tunjang. Kajian menunjukkan terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan ketika perubahan musim pada DO, TSS serta BOD, namun tidak pada ammonia, pH dan COD. Secara amnya, kombinasi aktiviti guna tanah dan perubahan musim boleh mempengaruhi atau memberi kesan terhadap kualiti sumber air. Oleh itu, tindakan segera perlu dilakukan untuk mengawal punca pencemaran bagi memastikan kualiti sumber air di Terusan Utara kekal terpelihara.
Kajian kepekatan logam dalam air di Tasik Bukit Merah telah dijalankan pada April 2009. Lima belas stesen persampelan telah dipilih dan sampel air permukaan bagi penentuan logam telah diambil. Beberapa parameter kualiti air seperti suhu, konduktiviti, oksigen terlarut, pH dan keliatan air telah ditentukan di setiap stesen. Sebanyak 11 jenis logam iaitu kadmium, zink, plumbum, kuprum, nikel, ferum, kobalt, aluminium, barium, kromium dan mangan (Mn) telah ditentukan dalam sampel air. Keputusan menunjukkan kepekatan semua logam kajian berada di bawah kepekatan maksimum yang dicadangkan oleh piawaian Malaysia dan antarabangsa bagi melindungi hidupan akuatik kecuali bagi logam Fe dan Al. Bagi parameter kualiti air, kajian menunjukkan semua parameter berada dalam julat kepekatan semula jadi (kelas I) berdasarkan Piawaian Kualiti Air Kebangsaan (NWQS Malaysia) kecuali oksigen terlarut dan pH di beberapa stesen persampelan terutama di bahagian timur tasik yang didapati dipengaruhi oleh faktor-faktor semula jadi dan antropogenik.
Kajian kandungan logam berat Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, dan Zn telah dilakukan ke atas tumbuhan Arundina graminifolia daripada kawasan Lombong Pelepah Kanan, Kota Tinggi, Johor. Kandungan logam berat yang sama turut ditentukan ke atas substrata tanih di tempat di mana tumbuhan itu diambil. Kandungan logam berat dalam tiga bahagian tumbuhan iaitu akar, batang dan daun telah diekstrak secara penghadaman basah manakala kandungan logam berat tersedia dan resistan dalam tanih diekstrak dengan kaedah pengekstrakan berjujukan. Kandungan logam berat jumlah didapati dengan menjumlahkan logam berat tersedia dengan logam berat resistant. Kandungan logam berat di dalam larutan ekstrak tanih dan tumbuhan ditentukan menggunakan Spektrofotometer Serapan Atom Nyalaan. Kandungan logam berat Cd, Cr, Ni dan Pb adalah setara kandungannya dalam semua bahagian tumbuhan manakala kepekatan Co dan Zn adalah tiga hingga lima kali lebih tinggi berbanding tumbuhan kawalan. Bagi kandungan logam berat di dalam bahagian tumbuhan yang berbeza didapati kepekatan Cd adalah lebih tinggi dalam akar (2.03 mg/kg) diikuti oleh daun (1.67 mg/kg) dan batang (1.49 mg/kg). Kepekatan Co adalah lebih tinggi dalam daun (9.26 mg/kg) diikuti oleh akar (9.18 mg/kg) dan batang (6.94 mg/kg). Kepekatan Cr mengikut susunan menurun adalah akar (0.46 mg/kg) > daun (0.19 mg/kg) > batang (0.08 mg/kg). Kepekatan Ni adalah lebih tinggi dalam daun (2.78 mg/kg) diikuti oleh akar (2.71 mg/kg) dan batang (1.66 mg/kg). Kepekatan Pb mengikut susunan menurun adalah akar (10.34 mg/kg) > daun (4.18 mg/kg) > batang (3.75 mg/kg). Kepekatan Zn lebih tinggi dalam daun (44.03 mg/kg) diikuti oleh akar (32.30 mg/kg) dan batang (13.21 mg/kg). Kandungan logam berat jumlah dalam tanih adalah masing-masing 2.07-5.59 mg/kg, 8.72-39.93 mg/kg, 1.81-2.14 mg/kg, 2.66-6.87 mg/kg, 23.02-51.56 mg/kg and 0.64-2.61 mg/kg bagi Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co dan Cr. Didapati bahawa kandungan fraksi tersedia dalam tanih adalah 21.9% bagi Ni, 15.3% bagi Zn, 49.9% bagi Cd, 19.3% bagi Pb, 45.7% bagi Co and 0% bagi Cr. Koefisien penyerapan biologi tumbuhan ke atas logam berat yang dikaji adalah rendah keculai bagi Zn yang nilainya lebih daripada 1. Tumbuhan ini tidak sesuai digunakan sebagai agen fitoremediasi untuk logam-logam di atas.
Kajian ini dilakukan untuk menentukan prevalens jangkitan vaginosis bakteria di kalangan wanita yang berumur 20 hingga 59 tahun di Hospital Umum Sarawak, Malaysia melalui pemeriksaan ke atas lumuran Pap lazim. Prevalens jangkitan ini dikaji di kalangan lima kumpulan etnik yang utama iaitu kaum Iban, Cina, Melayu, Bidayuh dan kaum Orang Ulu. Penyaringan mikroskopi dijalankan ke atas 300 sampel slaid yang telah diproses dan dicelup menggunakan pencelup Papanicolaou. Berdasarkan kepada maklumat pada borang permohonan penyaringan lumuran Pap, tanda dan gejala jangkitan diambil kira sebagai petunjuk penting semasa penyaringan kerana melalui tanda dan gejala jangkitan, lumuran Pap mempunyai hubungan yang rapat dengan ciri gambaran sitomorfologi jangkitan yang berlaku ke atas sel–sel epitelium sekiranya ia mengalami jangkitan. Kategori umur untuk setiap golongan etnik juga dijadikan sebagai salah satu faktor pengukur bagi menilai tahap kekerapan jangkitan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan jangkitan vaginosis bakteria mencatatkan sebanyak 79.7% (239/300 kes). Jangkitan berlaku pada kesemua kumpulan etnik dan jangkitan lebih kerap ditemui pada golongan umur 20 tahun hingga 39 tahun. Majoriti kes (93.3%) menunjukkan tanda dan gejala jangkitan. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan kepentingan menjalani ujian lumuran Pap sebagai ujian mengesan jangkitan vaginosis bakteria selain saringan awal pengesanan kanser serviks.
Kajian ini dilakukan bertujuan untuk menentukan prevalens kandidiasis dalam kalangan wanita yang berumur 20 hingga 59 tahun di Hospital Umum Sarawak melalui pemeriksaan ke atas lumuran Pap lazim. Prevalens jangkitan ini dikaji dalam kalangan lima kumpulan etnik yang utama iaitu kaum Iban, Cina, Melayu, Bidayuh dan Orang Ulu. Penyaringan mikroskopik dijalankan ke atas lumuran Pap lazim sejumlah 300 sampel slaid yang telah diproses dan dicelup menggunakan pencelupan Papanicolaou. Berdasarkan maklumat pada borang permohonan penyaringan lumuran Pap, tanda dan gejala jangkitan diambil kira sebagai petunjuk penting semasa penyaringan kerana melalui tanda dan gejala jangkitan, lumuran Pap mempunyai hubungan yang rapat dengan ciri-ciri gambaran sitomorfologi jangkitan yang berlaku ke atas sel-sel epitelium sekiranya ia mengalami jangkitan. Kategori umur untuk setiap golongan etnik juga dijadikan sebagai salah satu faktor pengukur bagi menilai tahap kekerapan jangkitan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan Candida sp. telah dapat dikesan sebanyak 12.7% daripada jumlah spesimen. Jangkitan berlaku pada kesemua kumpulan etnik dan juga pada kesemua golongan umur 20 hingga 59 tahun. Kesemua kes turut menunjukkan tanda dan gejala jangkitan. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan pentingnya menjalankan ujian penyaringan lumuran Pap bagi mengesan jangkitan kandida di samping sebagai saringan awal pengesanan kanser serviks.
Kajian ini dilakukan untuk menentukan prevalens jangkitan Trichomonas vaginalis, di kalangan wanita yang berumur 20 hingga 59 tahun di Hospital Umum Sarawak melalui pemeriksaan ke atas lumuran Pap lazim. Prevalens jangkitan ini dikaji di kalangan lima kumpulan etnik utama iaitu kaum Iban, Cina, Melayu, Bidayuh dan Orang Ulu. Penyaringan dijalankan pada lumuran Pap lazim ke atas 300 sampel slaid yang telah diproses dan dicelup menggunakan pencelup Papanicolaou. Berdasarkan maklumat pada borang permohonan penyaringan lumuran Pap, tanda dan gejala jangkitan diambil kira sebagai petunjuk penting semasa penyaringan kerana melalui tanda dan gejala jangkitan, lumuran Pap mempunyai hubungan yang rapat kepada ciri-ciri gambaran sitomorfologi jangkitan yang berlaku ke atas sel epitelial sekiranya ianya mengalami jangkitan. Kategori umur untuk setiap golongan etnik juga dijadikan sebagai salah satu faktor pengukur bagi menilai tahap kekerapan jangkitan. Hasil kajian menunjukkan trikomoniasis mencatatkan jangkitan sebanyak 7.7% kes. Jangkitan berlaku pada kesemua kumpulan etnik dan lebih kerap ditemui pada golongan umur 20 hingga 29 tahun. Kesemua kes turut menunjukkan tanda dan gejala jangkitan. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan kepentingan menjalani ujian lumuran Pap sebagai ujian mengesan jangkitan Trikomonas vaginalis selain saringan awal pengesanan kanser serviks.
The presence of coliforms bacteria is one of the most prevalent problems in terms of public health in marine ecosystems over the world. In this study were investigated the physico-chemical properties of seawater and the numbers of total aerobic, total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli O157:H7 and fecal streptococci in seawater and mussel samples collected from Sinop environs between May and October 2011. The microbiological analysis of seawater samples showed that the difference between total coliform, fecal coliform and fecal streptococci numbers (p<0.05) was significant for each station. However, the difference among total aerobic bacteria numbers for each stations (p>0.05) were not found significant. The difference between whole counting results for mussel samples taken from different sampling sites was not significant (p>0.05), too. Furthermore, the results of the screening assay for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 showed that the strain was not detected in neither seawater nor mussel samples. In conclusion, it was determined that fecal coliform and fecal streptococci counts in the seawater and mussel samples were higher than legal (Turkish Bathing Water and Quality of Fishery Products Regulation) limit values for some stations in Sinop coastal areas.
Species invasion is an important cause of global biodiversity decline and is often mediated by shifts in environmental conditions such as climate change. To investigate this relationship, a mechanistic Dynamic Energy Budget model (DEB) approach was used to predict how climate change may affect spread of the invasive mussel Mytilopsis sallei, by predicting variation in the total reproductive output of the mussel under different scenarios. To achieve this, the DEB model was forced with present-day satellite data of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), and SST under two warming RCP scenarios and decreasing current Chl-a levels, to predict future responses. Under both warming scenarios, the DEB model predicted the reproductive output of M. sallei would enhance range extension of the mussel, especially in regions south of the Yangtze River when future declines in Chl-a were reduced by less than 10%, whereas egg production was inhibited when Chl-a decreased by 20-30%. The decrease in SST in the Yangtze River may, however, be a natural barrier to the northward expansion of M. sallei, with colder temperatures resulting in a strong decrease in egg production. Although the invasion path of M. sallei may be inhibited northwards by the Yangtze River, larger geographic regions south of the Yangtze River run the risk of invasion, with subsequent negative impacts on aquaculture through competition for food with farmed bivalves and damaging aquaculture facilities. Using a DEB model approach to characterise the life history traits of M. sallei, therefore, revealed the importance of food availability and temperature on the reproductive output of this mussel and allowed evaluation of the invasion risk for specific regions. DEB is, therefore, a powerful predictive tool for risk management of already established invasive populations and to identify regions with a high potential invasion risk.
The morphology and 12 shell morphometric features proportionate to shell length were analysed between local hard clam; Meretrix lyrata, M. meretrix and M. lusoria from Sarawak, Malaysia. Meretrix spp. was observed to comprise a unique feature of a pallial sinus scar for each species. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among Meretrix spp. using proportion ratios of SL for SW; LL; AL; LCT; AW; PW and PS (p<0.05). Cluster analysis among morphometric features of M. lyrata, M. meretrix and M. lusoria were discriminated at 98.5% similarities and supported by the principal component analysis. The present study suggests that pallial sinus scar shape, together with interior and exterior morphometric features, were suitable as identification keys for Meretrix spp. Hence, the present study emphasizes on the application of interior, rather than exterior morphology and morphometric features in hard clam identification before further investigation can be performed through genetic identification means.
Glass ionomer cement (GIC) is a well-known restorative material applied in dentistry. The present work aims to study the effect of hydroxyapatite (HA) addition into GIC based on physical, mechanical and structural properties. The utilization of waste materials namely clam shell (CS) and soda lime silica (SLS) glass as replacements for the respective CaO and SiO2 sources in the fabrication of alumino-silicate-fluoride (ASF) glass ceramics powder. GIC was formulated based on ASF glass ceramics, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and deionized water, while 1 wt.% of HA powder was added to enhance the properties of the cement samples. The cement samples were subjected to four different ageing times before being analyzed. In this study, the addition of HA caused an increment in density and compressive strength results along with ageing time. Besides, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed the formation of fluorohydroxyapatite (FHA) phase in HA-added GIC samples and it was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis which detected OH‒F vibration mode. In addition, needle-like and agglomeration of spherical shapes owned by apatite crystals were observed from Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Based on Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, the detection of chemical elements in the cement samples were originated from chemical compounds used in the preparation of glass ceramics powder and also the polyacid utilized in initiating the reaction of GIC.
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antibiogram of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in processed bivalve molluscs in Kuala Terengganu. A total of 80 seafood samples, namely mussels (n=20), carpet clams (n=20), cockles (n=20) and scallops (n=20), were subjected to PCR and conventional plating method for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus. V. parahaemolyticus was found in green mussels (55%), carpet clam (80%), cockles (40%) and scallops (55%). Fifty-five V. parahaemolyticus isolates were subjected to 9 types antibiotic sensitivity test using discs diffusion method. All isolates were susceptible to Tetracycline and Gentamycin. Isolates showed high resistance towards Vancomycin (52.73%), Penicillin (45.45%) and Amplicillin (32.73%). Resistance towards Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin were found to be 1.82%. It can be concluded that local bivalve molluscs were contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus and isolates showed resistance towards certain antibiotics. Therefore, consumption of raw or semi-cooked bivalve molluscs is not advisable.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important parameter that affects the biology, physiology, and immunology of aquatic animals. In recent decades, DO levels in the global oceans have sharply decreased, partly due to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, temperature, and anthropogenic nutrient loads. Although there have been many reports on the effects of hypoxia on the survival, growth, behavior, and immunity of bivalves, this information has not been well organized. Therefore, this article provides a comprehensive review of the effects of hypoxia on bivalves. In general, hypoxia negatively impacts the food consumption rate and assimilation efficiency, as well as increasing respiration rates in many bivalves. As a result, it reduces the energy allocation for bivalve growth, shell formation, and reproduction. In severe cases, prolonged exposure to hypoxia can result in mass mortality in bivalves. Moreover, hypoxia also has adverse effects on the immunity and response of bivalves to predators, including decreased burial depths, sensitivity to predators, impairment of byssus production, and negatively impacts on the integrity, strength, and composition of bivalve shells. The tolerance of bivalves to hypoxia largely depends on size and species, with larger bivalves being more susceptible to hypoxia and intertidal species being relatively more tolerant to hypoxia. The information in this article is very useful for elucidating the current research status of hypoxia on bivalves and determining future research directions.
This study aims to examine the interrelationship of self-determination, the big five, achievement motivation and academic achievement among students. This questionnaire survey study involving 150 students from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The National University of Malaysia. The data obtained in this study were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Instrument that has been used was Learning Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-L), Big Five Inventory (BFI), and achievement motivation scale (CLAMS). The results showed that the autonomous regulation (r =.40) and controlled regulation (r =.43) were significantly related to achievement motivation. Results also showed that the autonomous regulation (r =.45) and controlled regulation (r =.29) were significantly related to academic achievement. Correlation results also show that the big five personalities, that openness (r =.62), conscientiousness (r =.56), extraversion (r =.61), agreeableness (r =.43) and neuroticism (r =1.58) were significantly related to achievement motivation. The results showed openness (r =.31), conscientiousness (r =.44), extraversion (r =.30), agreeableness (r =.22) and neuroticism (r = -.23) were significantly related to academic achievement. In general, this study explains that self-determination and big five personalities can be used to predict the relationship with achievement motivation and academic achievement.
Penentuan kumpulan bangsa dalam analisis rambut pada kepala adalah satu cabaran yang dihadapi dalam analisis forensik untuk mengenal pasti mangsa, suspek dan tempat kejadian jenayah. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti perbezaan antara dua kaum terbesar di Malaysia iaitu Melayu dan Cina melalui penelitian ciri-ciri rambut. Ini termasuklah ciri umum rambut, corak kutikel, warna, taburan pigmen kortek dan ciri medula – jenis, ketebalan dan indeks medula. Kajian ini telah dijalankan dengan menggunakan mikroskop cahaya dan terdiri daripada lima langkah iaitu penyediaan sampel, penelitian ciri umum rambut, penyediaan dan penelitian slaid acuan corak sisik kutikel, slaid kortek serta medula. Hasil daripada kajian in mendapati bahawa kebanyakan Melayu mempunyai warna pigmen yang bercoklat gelap manakala Cina mempunyai pigmen coklat cerah. Kami juga mendapati bahawa ketebalan medula boleh juga digunakan untuk membezakan antara Melayu dan Cina di mana nilai purata bagi Melayu dan Cina masing-masing adalah 7.59 ± 1.45 μm dan 9.12 ± 1.85 μm. Nilai purata indeks medula bagi Melayu dan Cina pula adalah 0.17 ± 0.02 μm dan 0.18 ± 0.02 μm masing-masing. Walaupun begitu, ciri-ciri seperti tekstur, ketebalan rambut, corak sisik kutikel, taburan pigmen dan jenis medula pula menunjukkan perbezaan yang tidak ketara antara Melayu dan Cina. Kesimpulannya, kajian ini telah menunjukkan bahawa warna pigmen, ketebalan medula dan indeks medula adalah ciri-ciri penting yang boleh digunakan untuk menentukan bangsa.
In coastal waters, particulate metals constitute a substantial fraction of the total metals; however, the prevalent water quality criteria are primarily based on dissolved metals, seemingly neglecting the contribution of particulate metals. Here we developed a method to quantify the toxicity risk of particulate metals, and proposed a way to calculate modifying factors (MFs) for setting site-specific criteria in turbid waters. Specifically, we used a side-by-side experimental design to study copper (Cu) bioaccumulation and toxicity in an estuarine clam, Potamocorbula laevis, under the exposure to "dissolved only" and "dissolved + particulate" 65Cu. A toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model (TK-TD) was used to quantify the processes of Cu uptake, ingestion, assimilation, egestion, and elimination, and to relate mortality risk to tissue Cu. We find that particulate Cu contributes 40-67% of the Cu bioaccumulation when the suspended particulate matter (SPM) ranges from 12 to 229 mg L-1. The Cu-bearing SPM also increases the sensitivity of organisms to internalized Cu by decreasing the internal threshold concentration (CIT) from 141 to 76.8 μg g-1. MFs were derived based on the TK-TD model to consider the contribution of particulate Cu (in the studied SPM range) for increasing Cu bioaccumulation (MF = 1.3-2.2) and toxicity (MF = 2.3-3.9). Water quality criteria derived from dissolved metal exposure need to be lowered by dividing by an MF to provide adequate protection. Overall, the method we developed provides a scientifically sound framework to manage the risks of metals in turbid waters.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) events have been increasingly reported in the country, not only of the frequency and severity of the events, but also involved more species than previously known. In this paper, a decadal review of HABs events in Malaysia is summarized. Bloom events caused by harmful dinoflagellate species including the shellfish poisoning events were highlighted. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is no longer restricted to Sabah coasts and Pyrodnium bahamense. Bloom of Alexandrium minutum was reported for the first time in the Peninsula with six persons hospitalized including one casualty after consuming the contaminated benthic clams. Algal blooms that are associated with incidence of massive fish kills have been reported from both east and west coasts of the Peninsula in conjunction to finfish mariculture loses. The culprits of these bloom events have been identified as the dinoflagellates, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, Neoceratium furca, Prorocentrum minimum, Noctiluca scintillans and a raphidophyte, Chatonella ovata. In this paper, some of these HABs species were characterized morphologically and genetically, including their toxicity. Therefore, with the increase of coastal utilization and eutrophication, prevention, management and mitigation strategies, such as site selection, moving pens, clay spraying should be adopted to minimize the impact of these natural events.
Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) used as alternatives for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are also persistent in the environment as PBDEs. Limited information on these non-PBDE brominated flame retardants (BFRs) is available; in particular, there are only few publications on environmental pollution by these contaminants in the coastal waters of Asia. In this regard, we investigated the contamination status of HBCDs, BTBPE, and DBDPE in the coastal waters of Asia using mussels as a bioindicator. Concentrations of HBCDs, BTBPE, and DBDPE were determined in green (Perna viridis) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from the coastal areas in Cambodia, China (mainland), SAR China (Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam on 2003-2008. BTBPE and DBDPE were analyzed using GC-MS, whereas HBCDs were determined by LC-MS/MS. HBCDs, BTBPE, and DBDPE were found in mussels at levels ranging from <0.01 to 1,400, <0.1 to 13, and <0.3 to 22 ng/g lipid wt, respectively. Among the three HBCD diastereoisomers, α-HBCD was the dominant isomer followed by γ- and β-HBCDs. Concentrations of HBCDs and DBDPE in mussels from Japan and Korea were higher compared to those from the other Asian countries, indicating extensive usage of these non-PBDE BFRs in Japan and Korea. Higher levels of HBCDs and DBDPE than PBDEs were detected in some mussel samples from Japan. The results suggest that environmental pollution by non-PBDE BFRs, especially HBCDs in Japan, is ubiquitous. This study provides baseline information on the contamination status of these non-PBDE BFRs in the coastal waters of Asia.