Conference Presentations by A Bakar Jaafar
A Malaysian state of Sabah is blessed with natural deep sea waters (DSW). The presence of these D... more A Malaysian state of Sabah is blessed with natural deep sea waters (DSW). The presence of these DSW's offers a potential for OTEC power plant to be installed and operated using a warm surface sea water (SSW) as a heat source and the cold DSW as a heat sink. In the operation, the power plant may need to spend a considerable amount of power to pump up the DSW. The cold DSW, after serving its function as coolant to the condenser of the power plant, apparently appears as a cold waste-water and may pose a disposal problem to the environment. However, being very rich in nutrients and made available literally free, the used DSW instead creates another valuable potential for secondary commercial activities in industries like aquaculture, mariculture, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medicinal, temperate crop farming, district cooling, etc , all of which if fully developed could offer a real economic transformation to the state of Sabah, as that experiences by the Japanese Kumejima of Okinawa prefecture. This paper focuses on the discussion on the potential of DSW in enhancing the development of Sabah aquaculture industry, partly contributing towards accelerating the socio-economic transformation to the state and the people.
Papers by A Bakar Jaafar
Journal of Physics: Conference Series
Most Malaysian jacket platforms have outlived their design life. As these old platforms have outl... more Most Malaysian jacket platforms have outlived their design life. As these old platforms have outlived their design life, other alternatives must be considered. As several offshore oil and gas extraction installations approach the end of their operational life, many options such as decommissioning and the development of a new source of energy such as wind farms are introduced. The objective of this paper is to investigate the environmental impacts of utilising ageing fixed offshore platform as a source for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). The environmental impact of utilising an ageing fixed offshore platform as an OTEC source is discussed. OTEC produces energy by taking advantage of temperature variations between the ocean surface water and the colder deep water through cold-water intake piping, which requires a seawater depth of 700 metres. The output of this study shows that OTEC is envisioned to preserve marine life, becoming a new and reliable source of energy, assist cle...
Chemical engineering transactions, 2016
Transboundary haze is one of the major environmental issues in Southeast Asia for the last three ... more Transboundary haze is one of the major environmental issues in Southeast Asia for the last three decades. The haze has not only affected the countries within the region but even beyond because of the impacts on environmental concerns with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and biodiversity thus challenging international attempts to address these issues. Land clearing and burning activity is a significant contributor to smoke in the atmosphere during the haze season. This study aims to investigate the economic benefits through conversion of forest biomass and palm biomass, the two main sources of peat fire to medium and higher value products i.e power and bioethanol. The outcomes of this study will provide farmers and policy makers to view the biomass as a source of 'wealth', not 'waste'.
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2018
Global climate changes have been reported to be affecting the already stressed agricultural ecosy... more Global climate changes have been reported to be affecting the already stressed agricultural ecosystem, especially temperate agriculture which is highly dependent on low soil temperature for optimum growth performance. The current trends of temperate agriculture include enclosed greenhouses or hydroponics techniques, but shown to be inadequate to produce temperate crops under hot and humid weather of tropical climate. This urges the need for a more sustainable farming system which is soil cooling method as described in this study. Soil cooling system cools the soils to temperate soil temperature ranges between 14.6 and 20.1 °C providing a conducive growth condition for temperate produce. The aim of this study is to confirm the usefulness of soil cooling for growing temperate crops under tropical climate. In this study, a model temperate crop, loose leaf lettuce, was grown in an enclosed greenhouse with soil cooling system for its 3-growth cycle. Air and soil temperatures were recorded during the lettuce growth. Lettuces were evaluated in terms of weight, height, number of leaves, leaf area and root length upon each harvest cycle. Under soil cooling, lettuces showed significant difference in average weight (p < 0.05) and positive development in the roots, shoot and leaves of lettuces for its 3-growth cycle. The findings showed that soil cooling approach was able to prepare soils to temperate soil temperature which serves as a potential alternative for growing temperate crops in the future, throughout the year under unpredictable climate changes.
Microbes and environments, Jan 28, 2018
A soil cooling system that prepares soil for temperate soil temperatures for the growth of temper... more A soil cooling system that prepares soil for temperate soil temperatures for the growth of temperate crops under a tropical climate is described herein. Temperate agriculture has been threatened by the negative impact of temperature increases caused by climate change. Soil temperature closely correlates with the growth of temperate crops, and affects plant processes and soil microbial diversity. The present study focuses on the effects of soil temperatures on lettuce growth and soil microbial diversity that maintains the growth of lettuce at low soil temperatures. A model temperate crop, loose leaf lettuce, was grown on eutrophic soil under soil cooling and a number of parameters, such as fresh weight, height, the number of leaves, and root length, were evaluated upon harvest. Under soil cooling, significant differences were observed in the average fresh weight (P<0.05) and positive development of the roots, shoots, and leaves of lettuce. Janthinobacterium (8.142%), Rhodoplanes (...
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016
Deep sea water (DSW) commonly refers to a body of seawater that is pumped up from a depth of over... more Deep sea water (DSW) commonly refers to a body of seawater that is pumped up from a depth of over 200 m. It is usually associated with the following characteristics: low temperature, high purity, and being rich with nutrients, namely, beneficial elements, which include magnesium, calcium, potassium, chromium, selenium, zinc, and vanadium. Less photosynthesis of plant planktons, consumption of nutrients, and organic decomposition have caused lots of nutrients to remain there. Due to this, DSW has potential to become a good source for health. Research has proven that DSW can help overcome health problems especially related to lifestyle-associated diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and skin problems. This paper reviews the potential health benefits of DSW by referring to the findings from previous researches.
MicrobiologyOpen, 2016
This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in the benthic region... more This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in the benthic region of the Off-Terengganu Coastline, which is considered to be anthropogenically polluted due to heavy fishing vessel commotion. Subsurface bacteria were randomly collected from two locations at different depths and were examined using the 16S rDNA V3-V4 marker gene on the Illumina ™ Miseq platform. In addition, the physiochemical parameters of the sediment were also measured. Surprisingly, the results show a high diversity of sulfuroxidizing bacteria in the surveyed area, where Sulfurovum sp. was identified to predominate the overall bacterial community. The physiochemical parameters reveal insufficient evidence of hydrothermal vents in the surveyed area. However, there are traces of hydrocarbon pollutants such as gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil in this area. It is assumed that sediment accumulation in the lee of breakwater plays an important role in trapping the runoff from the nearby harbor, which includes oil spills. Based on the common knowledge, Sulvurofum sp. is a native bacterium that exists in deep hydrothermal vents and volcanic territories. Although the reason for the abundance of Sulfurovum sp. in the surveyed area is still unclear, there is a possibility that metabolic adaptation plays an important role in regulating hydrocarbon pollutants for survival. The work presented in this paper therefore has profound implications for future studies on Sulfurovum sp. versatility. However, future research is needed to strengthen the findings of this study and to provide a better evidence regarding the metabolic response of this bacterium toward hydrocarbon pollutants.
2013 IEEE Conference on Clean Energy and Technology (CEAT), 2013
Atmospheric Environment, 1999
The large-scale air pollution episode due to the out-of-control biomass burning for agricultural ... more The large-scale air pollution episode due to the out-of-control biomass burning for agricultural purposes in Indonesia started in June 1997, has become a severe environmental problem for itself and the neighboring countries. The fire lasted for almost five months. Its impact on the health and ecology in the affected areas is expected to be substantial, costly and possibly long lasting. Air pollution Index as high as 839 has been reported in Malaysia. API is calculated based on the five pollutants: NO , SO , O , CO, and respirable suspended particulates (PM10). It ranges in value from 0 to 500. An index above 101 is considered to be unhealthy and a value over 201 is very unhealthy (Abidin and Shin, 1996). The solvent-extractable organic compounds from four total suspended particulate (TSP) high-volume samples collected in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Stations Pudu and SIRIM) were subjected to characterizationthe abundance was determined and biomarkers were identified. Two of the samples were from early September when the fire was less intense, while the other two were from late September when Kuala Lumpur experienced very heavy smoke coverage which could be easily observed from NOAA/AVHRR satellite images. The samples contained mainly aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-alkanes and triterpanes, alkanoic acids, alkanols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The difference between the early and late September samples was very significant. The total yield increased from 0.6 to 24.3 g m\ at Pudu and 1.9 to 20.1 g m\ at SIRIM, with increases in concentration in every class. The higher input of vascular plant wax components in the late September samples, when the fire was more intense, was characterized by the distribution patterns of the homologous series n-alkanes, n-alkanoic acids, and n-alkanols, e.g.
January 1985] "29. This State's provision appears principally as a new section 7A of the Waters (... more January 1985] "29. This State's provision appears principally as a new section 7A of the Waters (Amendment) Enactment of 1970. 30. Jaafar & Valencia, supra note 2. 31. Revised in 1972; L.M. ACT 95, in accordance with its section 7(5). 32. The set limit for oil is 50 ppm, the level that is considered achievable and acceptable in
2015 10th Asian Control Conference (ASCC), 2015
Respirology, 2000
Observations have been made on the long-term trends of major air pollutants in Malaysia including... more Observations have been made on the long-term trends of major air pollutants in Malaysia including nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, the ozone and total suspended particulate matter (particularly PM10), and sulfur dioxide, emitted from industrial and urban areas from early 1970s until late 1998. The data show that the status of atmospheric environment in Malaysia, in particular in highly industrialized areas such as Klang Valley, was determined both by local and transboundary emissions and could be described as haze and non-haze periods. During the non-haze periods, vehicular emissions accounted for more than 70% of the total emissions in the urban areas and have demonstrated two peaks in the diurnal variations of the aforementioned air pollutants, except ozone. The morning &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;rush-hour&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; peak was mainly due to vehicle emissions, while the late evening peak was mainly attributed to meteorological conditions, particularly atmospheric stability and wind speed. Total suspended particulate matter was the main pollutant with its concentrations at few sites often exceeding the Recommended Malaysia Air Quality Guidelines. The levels of other pollutants were generally within the guidelines. Since 1980, six major haze episodes were officially reported in Malaysia: April 1983, August 1990, June 1991, October 1991, August to October 1994, and July to October 1997. The 1997 haze episode was the worst ever experienced by the country. Short-term observations using continuous monitoring systems during the haze episodes during these periods clearly showed that suspended particulate matter (PM10) was the main cause of haze and was transboundary in nature. Large forest fires in parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan during the haze period, clearly evident in satellite images, were identified as the probable key sources of the widespread heavy haze that extended across Southeast Asia from Indonesia to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. The results of several studies have also provided strong evidence that biomass burning is the dominating source of particulate matter. The severity and extent of 1997&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s haze pollution was unprecedented, affecting some 300 million people across the region. The amount of economic costs suffered by Southeast Asian countries during this environmental disaster was enormous and is yet to be fully determined. Among the important sectors severely affected were air and land transport, shipping, construction, tourism and agro-based industries. The economic cost of the haze-related damage to Malaysia presented in this study include short-term health costs, production losses, tourism-related losses and the cost of avertive action. Although the cost reported here is likely to be underestimated, they are nevertheless significant (roughly RM1 billion). The general air quality of Malaysia since 1970 has deteriorated. Studies have shown that should no effective countermeasures be introduced, the emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the year 2005 would increase by 1.4, 2.12, 1.47 and 2.27 times, respectively, from the 1992 levels.
Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 2006
Environmental problems and their management, particularly when related to urban ecosystems, are b... more Environmental problems and their management, particularly when related to urban ecosystems, are becoming increasingly challenging. The end-of-pipe method which has been practiced in the past, and is manifested in our laws and regulations, has gradually ...
This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in the benthic region... more This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in the benthic region of the Off-Terengganu Coastline, which is considered to be anthropogenically polluted due to heavy fishing-vessel commotion. Subsurface bacteria were randomly collected from two locations at different depths and were examined using the 16S rDNA V3-V4 marker gene on the Illumina™ Miseq platform. In addition, the physiochemical parameters of the sediment were also measured. Surprisingly, the results show a high diversity of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the surveyed area, where Sulfurovum sp. was identified to predominate the overall bacterial community. The physiochemical parameters reveal insufficient evidence of hydrothermal vents in the surveyed area. However, there are traces of hydrocarbon pollutants such as gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil in this area. It is assumed that sediment accumulation in the lee of breakwater plays an important role in trapping the runoff from the nearby harbor, which includes oil spills. Based on common knowledge, Sulvurofum sp. is a native bacterium that exists in deep hydrothermal vents and volcanic territories. Although the reason for the abundance of Sulfurovum sp. in the surveyed area is still unclear, there is a possibility that metabolic adaptation plays an important role in regulating hydrocarbon pollutants for survival. The work presented in this paper therefore has profound implications for future studies on Sulfurovum sp. versatility. However, future research is needed to strengthen the findings of this study and to provide a better evidence regarding the metabolic response of this bacterium towards hydrocarbon pollutants.
Uploads
Conference Presentations by A Bakar Jaafar
Papers by A Bakar Jaafar