This study investigates the potential exposure parameters among small-scale rice farmers based on their current agricultural practices under submerged rice systems. Twenty-four rice farmers from the District of Tanah Merah in Kelantan, Malaysia were interviewed about various pesticide exposure parameters (November 2020), followed by the collection of pesticide application information using questionnaire surveys across the whole rice season (December 2020 – March 2021). Overall, the 15 selected rice farmers with small-scale farm sizes (≤ 2.0 hectares) applied maximum numbers of 4 pesticide products and 10 spray rounds during 3 – 13 spraying days across the whole rice season, using 12 – 18 L of motorised knapsack sprayers (median: 15 L). The 15 selected rice farmers removed pesticide leftovers in the sprayers using soap and/or water only at the end of a spraying day. Each individual applied one of three disposal methods of empty pesticide containers, comprising thrown in the field (7 individuals), collect and burn (6 individuals) and buried in the ground (2 individuals). During mixing/loading, spraying and sprayer washing activities, individuals applied some protective measures by wearing long sleeves and long pants and face masks (each 15 individuals) and (long/short) boots (11 individuals), and that of relatively fewer use of gloves (5 individuals). Study findings indicate potential pesticide exposure among small-scale rice farmers due to the use of pesticide mixtures, improper handling of pesticide wastes and improper use of protective measures.
A controlled artificial recharge experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of soil aquifer treatment during percolation of secondary and tertiary (ultrafiltered) treated wastewater through the shallow vadoze zone of a newly constructed coastal sandfill. The sandfill is a reclaimed land constructed from marine sand dredged from the seabed. To obtain 1-D flow, a stainless steel column was driven to a depth of 2.5 m, penetrating the phreatic surface. Wastewater was percolated through the column under fully-saturated and unsaturated conditions. Infiltration rates, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and ultra-violet absorption (UVA) were monitored. The wastewaters were recharged at similar infiltration rates of approximately 5.5 m/day and 3.5 m/day under fully-saturated and unsaturated conditions, respectively. In both cases, clogging occurred 40 days after the start of recharge, under saturated conditions. For secondary treated wastewater, DOC concentration (mg/l) reduced by 28% and 13% under unsaturated and saturated conditions, respectively. The corresponding UVA reduction was 19.4% and 14.1%. Similar reductions in DOC were observed for the tertiary treated wastewater; however, the reduction in UVA was higher; 28% and 22% under unsaturated and saturated conditions, respectively. On an mass removal (mg/m(2) DOC) basis, DOC reduction appeared to be more significant under unsaturated conditions. This is attributed to the presence of interstitial oxygen.
Groundwater is one of the main sources of water in Kelantan which consumes 70% of the water supply. The rapid development in population, urbanization, agriculture, and industry has led to an increased water supply and demand. Hence, it is necessary to identify new groundwater potential sources to enhance groundwater supply in the study area. This study was carried out at Kuala Krai, Kelantan within latitude 5”36’30° to 5”33’50° N and longitude 102”8’25° to 102”11’10° E. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method were used in this study and this method eventually come out with groundwater potential zones. The parameters such as lithology, geomorphology, land use, slope, drainage density, rainfall density, and soil type were chosen and spatially generated using GIS platform. Those parameters were subjected to weighted overlay analysis to obtain the potential zones of groundwater. The weights for the various layers were generated and assigned using the AHP technique which allows the comparison of criteria influencing the potential zone. The results of the study revealed that the good potential zone comprises 36.1%, moderate 32.4%, and poor 31.5% areas respectively. In conclusion, factors such as low elevation, gentle slope, alluvial plains, and vegetation area have given a high potential of groundwater in this study area.
Aqularia malaccensis or commonly known as ‘Gaharu’ is famous for its heartwood that is fragrant and highly valuable. Since 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reported a decline in the A. malaccensis population caused by agricultural and heartwood activities. Reforestation and transplanting of the A. malaccensis is essential to preserve the genetic diversity at the species level. Previous studies on the production growth of A. malaccensis have been focussing on using different types and fertilizer regimes to enhance its growth for conservation and restoration effort. However, knowledge on the potential of enhancing the growth of A. malaccensis using soil amendments derived from organic sources is limited. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effect of organic soil amendments derived from four different sources on the growth of A. malaccensis. Saplings of A. malaccensis were employed in a glasshouse experiment following a complete randomized block design with 5 treatments × 4 replicates to ensure validity and minimise variability within treatments. The five treatments were saplings grown with no addition of organic amendments serving as control (C), forest litter (FL), chicken manure (CM), insect frass (IF) and empty fruit bunch mixed with Azolla sp. (EFBA). The saplings grown in polybags were placed randomly on a 9 x 9 grid within the nursery, 0.2 m apart and watered daily using an automatic sprinkler system. Physical characteristics of the saplings and other environmental parameters were measured. The saplings of A. malaccensis increased in mean height when grown in soil amended with CM, IF and EFBA. In contrast, there were no significant effect of organic amendments of plant stem diameter, number of shoots and leaves. In addition, the stem diameter for saplings grown in soil with organic amendments were weakly and negatively correlated to soil temperature. This study indicated that that the organic soil amendments derived from different sources had a significant role in the plant’s resource allocation during the saplings stage. Further studies on the plant, organic amendments and soil physicochemical traits are needed to explain the interaction between these components for the better conservation effort.
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