Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency

The present study investigates the distribution of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) in sediment samples collected from selected locations in Sarawak, Sembulan, and Kuantan rivers in Peninsular Malaysia. Batch studies were conducted to assess the current status of domestic wastes and synthetic detergent p...

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Main Author: Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/33339/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/33339/1/FPAS%202012%2011R.pdf
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author Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen
author_facet Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen
author_sort Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The present study investigates the distribution of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) in sediment samples collected from selected locations in Sarawak, Sembulan, and Kuantan rivers in Peninsular Malaysia. Batch studies were conducted to assess the current status of domestic wastes and synthetic detergent pollution in sediments in these three rivers. Twenty-three sampling stations have been selected for sediment collection. Analysis and quantification of LABs was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentrations of total LABs in ng/g on a dry weight basis (dw) in the sediment samples of Sarawak River, Sembulan River, and Kuantan River ranged from 156.5 to 7386.2; 643.2 to 5567.1; and 772.8 to 7517.6 ng/g dw, respectively. The I/E ratio (ratio of internal to external isomers of LABs) is employed to estimate the degree of degradation of LABs in aquatic environments, making it a powerful, though simple, tool for monitoring biodegradation of LABs in the environment. The I/E ratios for Sarawak, Sembulan, and Kuantan rivers fell in the ranges 0.52 to 1.24; 0.81 to 1.79; and 0.50 to 1.28,respectively. The I/E ratio at station two in Kuantan River was much lower than those at the other stations, indicating that the sewage discharged into Kuantan River was poorly treated. Anthropogenic activities may contribute to high levels of LABs in sediment samples. In addition to anthropogenic activities, natural features of the sampling location may contribute significant amounts of LAB discharges to the aquatic systems. In sum, the study results demonstrate that the LABs are useful as indicators of pollutants originating from domestic wastes and synthetic detergents.
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institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
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language English
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publishDate 2012
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spelling upm-333392015-04-08T04:33:10Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/33339/ Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen The present study investigates the distribution of linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) in sediment samples collected from selected locations in Sarawak, Sembulan, and Kuantan rivers in Peninsular Malaysia. Batch studies were conducted to assess the current status of domestic wastes and synthetic detergent pollution in sediments in these three rivers. Twenty-three sampling stations have been selected for sediment collection. Analysis and quantification of LABs was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentrations of total LABs in ng/g on a dry weight basis (dw) in the sediment samples of Sarawak River, Sembulan River, and Kuantan River ranged from 156.5 to 7386.2; 643.2 to 5567.1; and 772.8 to 7517.6 ng/g dw, respectively. The I/E ratio (ratio of internal to external isomers of LABs) is employed to estimate the degree of degradation of LABs in aquatic environments, making it a powerful, though simple, tool for monitoring biodegradation of LABs in the environment. The I/E ratios for Sarawak, Sembulan, and Kuantan rivers fell in the ranges 0.52 to 1.24; 0.81 to 1.79; and 0.50 to 1.28,respectively. The I/E ratio at station two in Kuantan River was much lower than those at the other stations, indicating that the sewage discharged into Kuantan River was poorly treated. Anthropogenic activities may contribute to high levels of LABs in sediment samples. In addition to anthropogenic activities, natural features of the sampling location may contribute significant amounts of LAB discharges to the aquatic systems. In sum, the study results demonstrate that the LABs are useful as indicators of pollutants originating from domestic wastes and synthetic detergents. 2012-03 Thesis NonPeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/33339/1/FPAS%202012%2011R.pdf Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen (2012) Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency. Masters thesis, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Organic compounds - Analysis Sewage - Purification - Biological treatment - Malaysia Sediments (Geology) - Analysis
spellingShingle Organic compounds - Analysis
Sewage - Purification - Biological treatment - Malaysia
Sediments (Geology) - Analysis
Sleman Magam, Sami Muhsen
Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
title Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
title_full Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
title_fullStr Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
title_full_unstemmed Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
title_short Concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected Malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
title_sort concentration and distribution of linear alkylbenzene in sediments of selected malaysian rivers as molecular markers of sewage treatment efficiency
topic Organic compounds - Analysis
Sewage - Purification - Biological treatment - Malaysia
Sediments (Geology) - Analysis
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/33339/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/33339/1/FPAS%202012%2011R.pdf