In this study, the corn stalk (CS) had been utilized as natural filler in low density polyethylene (LDPE). The effect of CS
loading and coconut oil coupling agent (COCA) on tensile, thermal and water absorption properties of LDPE/CS composites
were investigated. The increases of CS decreased the tensile strength and elongation at break of LDPE/CS composites, but
increased in Young’s modulus. The incorporation of CS also contributed to high water uptake of LDPE/CS composites.
However, the presence of CS has increased the crystallinity of composites and LDPE matrix due to nucleating effect. The
addition of COCA has significantly increased the tensile strength, elongation at break, water resistivity and crystallinity
of LDPE/CS composites, but slightly reduced in Young’s modulus. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) also evidence
the presence of COCA improved the adhesion between CS and LDPE matrix.
The hydrology hydraulic model is established to assess environmental information on hydrology which
can be used to investigate causes of various environmental problems at the river and natural lake
catchment. This study reports on sediment concentrations at a river using a gravimetric method to
investigate the hydrology system at a lake catchment. The measurement was carried out at the
upstream, midstream, and downstream stations on the river in normal, rainy and post-rainy seasons.
The stations are located along the Chini River, which are connected to a catchment lake (located at
latitude 3°26’36.41”E-3°27’03.26”E and longitude 102°54’31.94”N-102°53’35.49”N). From the
measurements, it is estimated that on average 787.621 tonne/km2 of sediment is transferred into the
natural lake via Chini River annually. The correlation of statistical analysis between the sediment load
and discharge study was very significant (R2 = 0.980). There is a linear relation between the area of
the catchment and sediment load of the connecting river as supported by other studies in Malaysia.
The outcome of the study suggests that the high sedimentation is due to land use activity, existence of
the dam at the downstream of Chini River that traps the sediment, reverse flow from the Pahang River
into Chini River and riverbank erosion factors. From this study, the sediment control steps are
suggested such as creating conservation partially at the lake catchment, modifying the dam system,
riverbank erosion control, and application of “Monkey Cheek” system. These sediment control steps
may help to clean up the high suspended sediment at the whole lake system area, hence solving and
mitigating the environmental problems in the natural lake catchment.