Evaluation of Climate Suitability for Rubber （Hevea brasifiensis） Cultivation in Peninsular Malaysia

At the moment, there is no system to evaluate climate suitability for rubber cultivation. Most of land evaluation systems in Peninsular Malaysia often overlooked climate as not important on the assumption that the effect of climatic factors on rubber yield are small. The system to evaluate climate suitability follows the FAO （Food and Agriculture Organization） Framework for Laud Evaluation but employs a parametric approach using climatic data which are easily available. The climatic criteria used are mean annual temperature, mean daily maximum temperature, mean daily minimum temperature, mean annual rainfall, length of dry season, amount of sunshine, maximum wind speed and mean annual relative humidity. The evaluation of climate was carried out using information from nine meteorological stations in Peninsular Malaysia viz. Alor Star （Kedah）, Ipoh （Perak）, Subang （Selangor）, Malacca （Malacca）, Kluang （Johore）, Senai （Johore）, Kuantan （Pahang）, Kuala Krai （Kelantan） and Tanah Merah （Kelantan）. The results for actual suitability classification showed that eight of the stations are highly suitable （S1） for rubber cultivation with land indices ranging from 75 to 93. One station Alor Star is moderately suitable （S2y） due to dry season. The results for potential suitability classification showed that all the stations are highly suitable for rubber cultivation with land indices ranging from 90 to 99.

Impact of Climate Change on Regional Hydroclimate Projection in Peninsular Malaysia

For the assessment of the impact of future climate change on the hydrologic regime and water resources of Peninsular Malaysia, it is necessary to downscale the climate change simulations of a coarse scale General Circulation Model to the region of Peninsular Malaysia at fine grid resolution. This paper presents a desktop review of the state of climate change parameters, namely rainfall and river flow over the Peninsular Malaysia for the 2041-2050 projection period. Analysis of the results from the models shows there will be a substantial increase in mean monthly precipitation over the North East Coastal region from historical 259.5 mm to 281.5 mm, from 289.0 mm to 299.0 mm and 221.8 mm to 239.5 mm over Terengganu and Kelantan, respectively. Meanwhile, for river flow projection, it will be an expected increase in interannual and intraseasonal variability with increased hydrologic extremes （higher high flows, and lower low flows） at Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kedah watersheds in the future.

Relationship between Land Indices and Yield of Oil Palm in Peninsular Malaysia

Twenty four soils of Peninsular Malaysia derived from a varied geology and providing a range of particle size classes as well as different profile development stages were chosen for the study. Land characteristics and land qualities were used to determine the land suitability for oil palm cultivation. The results show that land characteristics have stronger influence on the yield of oil palm compared to land qualities. The use of the Framework for Land Evaluation together with the combined limitation-parametric approach enabled a more meaningful interpretation of the land units. Results demonstrated that land characteristics are recommended for land evaluation for oil palm cultivation.

Correlations between Geo-Chemical Speciation of Heavy Metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Ni) in Surface Sediments and Their Concentrations in Giant Mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) Collected from the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Surface sediments and giant mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) were collected in August and September 2008 and in March and June 2010 from six sampling sites in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia to assess heavy metals accumulation in the giant mudskipper. Sequential extraction technique was used to fractionate the sediments into four different geo-chemical fractions;easily, freely or leachable and exchangeable (EFLE), acid reducible, oxidizable organic and resistant fractions. Heavy metals concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Ni) in the surface sediments and giant mudskipper were determined by using air acetylene flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) Perkin Elmer Analyst 800. The results of Pearson’s correlation analyses showed that metal concentrations in the tissues of P. schlosseri were significantly correlated (p p < 0.05), correlations were observed between Cu in P. schlosseri and Cu in the sediment (oxidisable-organic, resistant and total Cu), Zn in P. schlosseri and Zn in the sediment (EFLE and total Zn), Pb in P. schlosseri and Pb in the sediment (with all the four fractions of Pb), Cd and Ni in P. schlosseri and Cd and Ni in the sediment (with all fractions of Cd and Ni except acid-reducible Cd and Ni) which might suggest the use of P. schlosseri as a biomonitoring agent for heavy metals pollution in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

CONCENTRATIONS OF Cd, Cu AND Zn IN SEDIMENTS COLLECTED FROM URBAN LAKES AT KELANA JAYA, PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Kelana Jaya Municipal Park is a popular recreation park in Petaling Jaya. The five lakes, located within the Park, were ex-mining ponds, functioning as flood retention ponds and receiving effluents from nearby human activities mainly from residents and transportation. A study was conducted to determine the distribution and sources of heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Zn) in the sediments of Kelana Jaya Lakes. Concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn for surface sediment were determined by using aqua-regia method and sequential extraction technique. Total Cd concentrations ranged from 0.48 μg/g to 2.68 μg/g dry weight (dw) for all lakes. Total Cd concentrations in sediment of all lakes exceeded CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, 2001) guidelines. Total Cu concentrations ranged from 7.37 μg/g to 73.6 μg/g (dw). Only Cu concentration in one lake exceeded the CCME guidelines besides having the highest mean concentration among all. Total Zn concentrations ranged from 107 μg/g to 529 μg/g (dw). Again, The Zn concentrations in three lakes were found to exceed CCME guidelines for Zn concentration in freshwater sediment. Geochemical study on sediment revealed that nonresistant fractions for Cd, Cu and Zn for other lakes there were higher than ‘resistant’ fraction. The elevated levels and most percentages (>50%) of nonresistant fractions of Cu and Zn indicated that lakes in the park, especially near oxidation pond and monsoon drains, could have received anthropogenic metals from domestic wastes. Rehabilitation program and regular biomonitoring at Kelana Jaya Lakes are therefore recommended.

INTERPRETATION OF COPPER AND ZINC CONTAMINATION IN THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO A POLLUTED RIVER,SEPANG RIVER

Three different aquatic ecosystems(an urban pond,Kelana Jaya Pond;a polluted river,Sepang River;and the intertidal and offshore areas of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia)with different sets of ecological backgrounds and human activities were reviewed and assessed for the levels of Cu and Zn contamination with special reference to those found in polluted sediments collected from the Sepang River.The discussion on the contamination levels of Cu and Zn in the aquatic environment of Peninsular Malaysia was based on a comparison of the metal contamination of 4 kinds of aquatic environments.The comparison of 4 different areas was based on ① total concentrations of 2 metals;② the concentrations and percentages of the nonresistant(EFLE,acid-reducible and oxidisable-organic)and resistant geochemical fractions;and ③ correlation coefficients(R-values)based on data of 4 areas separately and a combination of 4 areas.The Sepang River recorded nonresistant fractions of 63.1% for Zn and 55.8% for Cu in addition to slightly lower metal concentrations when compared to those(60%-70%)reported before the shutting down of the piggery activities in that area.These nonresistant metal percentages(55%-63%)indicated that the metal concentrations were still dominated by anthropogenic sources since nonresistant fraction of metals were mostly contributed by anthropogenic sources.The positive results from the four different aquatic environments assessed here provided strong evidence to show that Malaysia's aquatic environment had received anthropogenic Cu and Zn.The present study also showed that the percentage of the nonresistant fraction and the R-values based on correlation analysis of Cu and Zn could be used as indicators of Cu and Zn pollution in the Malaysian aquatic ecosystem.Based on the present data,the correlation coefficients(R-values)are potential indicators of EFLE Cu and acid-reducible Cu of the sediments.The use of R-values as indicators of metal pollution is suggested and it is applicable to other heavy metal data although it should be improved in future studies.

Temperature variability caused by internal tides in the coastal waters of east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

The effects of tidal currents(i.e., barotropic and internal tides) are important in the biogeochemistry of a coastal shelf sea. The high-frequency of currents and near-bottom temperatures collected in three consecutive southwest monsoon seasons(May, June, July and August of 2013 until 2015) is presented to reveal the role of the tidal currents to the temperature variability in the coastal shelf sea of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia(ECPM),south of the South China Sea(SCS). The results of a spectral density and harmonic analysis demonstrate that the near-bottom temperature variability and the tidal currents are influenced by diurnal(O_1 and K_1) and semidiurnal(M_2) tidal currents. The spectral density of residual currents(detided data) at 5, 10 and 16 m depth also shows significant peaks at the diurnal tidal frequency(K_1) and small peaks at the semidiurnal tidal frequency(M_2)indicating the existence of internal tides. The result of the horizontal kinetic energy(HKE) shows a strong intermittent energy of internal tides in the ECPM with the strongest energy is found at 16 m depth during a sporadic cooling event in June and July. A high horizontal cross-shore heat flux(16 m) also indicates strong intrusions of cooler water into the ECPM in June and July. During the short duration of cold pulse water observed in June and July, a cross-wavelet analysis also reveals the strong relationship between the near-bottom temperatures and the internal tidal currents at the diurnal tidal frequency. The intrusion of this cooler water is probably related to the monsoon-induced upwelling in June. It is loosely interpreted that the interaction between the strong barotropic tides and the steep slope in the central basin of the SCS under the stratified condition in southwest monsoon has generated these internal tides. The dissipation of internal tides from the slope area probably has driven the cold-upwelled water into the ECPM coastal shelf sea when the upwelling intensity is the highest in June and July.

Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Two Species of Intertidal Crabs from the Middle of the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

A study on Zn and Cu concentrations in 2 species of intertidal crabs,namely Uca annulipes and Dotilla myctiroides collected from the intertidal coastal area of Selangor(5 sites) and Negeri Sembilan(3 sites),west coast of Peninsular Malaysia,was carried out.The various localized sources of Zn and Cu discharges towards both the crab species were mentioned.A comparative study between the 2 crab species also revealed that the concentrations of Zn and Cu were significantly(P<0.05) higher in U.annulipes when compared to D.myctiroides.This difference was related to the organic matter percentage in the crabs' microhabitat sediments since metals can be associated with the organic matter of sediments in which they might ingest.Significantly(P<0.05) higher organic matter content was shown in U.annulipes sediments when compared to D.myctiroides sediments for all stations.The metal and size relationship in the crabs was also investigated.The relationships between Zn and Cu concentrations with body weight and carapace width of U.annulipes and D.myctiroides were significantly(P<0.01 and P<0.05) correlated although the pair wise was weak.

Evidence of Upwelling along Peninsular Malaysia during Southwest Monsoon

Upwelling off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia (PM) was detected from recent cruise data collected during the southwest monsoon. Thermocline lifting was observed at 104?E from a number of parallel transects. To confirm the presence of upwelling, satellite remote sensing data were used, and numerical model experiments were conducted. A cooler sea-surface temperature along the coast was spotted from both in-situ and satellite data while upward movement from the model agreed with field data. The southwesterly wind that blows along PM from June to September is believed to be the important mechanism that contributed to this upwelling through an Ekman dynamics process.

A statistical model to predict total column ozone in Peninsular Malaysia

This study aims to predict monthly columnar ozone in Peninsular Malaysia based on concentrations of several atmospheric gases. Data pertaining to five atmo- spheric gases （CO2, 03, CH4, NO2, and H2O vapor） were retrieved by satellite scanning imaging absorption spectro- metry for atmospheric chartography from 2003 to 2008 and used to develop a model to predict columnar ozone in Peninsular Malaysia. Analyses of the northeast monsoon （NEM） and the southwest monsoon （SWM） seasons were conducted separately. Based on the Pearson correlation matrices, columnar ozone was negatively correlated with HzO vapor but positively correlated with COz and NO2 during both the NEM and SWM seasons from 2003 to 2008. This result was expected because NO/is a precursor of ozone. Therefore, an increase in columnar ozone concentration is associated with an increase in NO2 but a decrease in H/O vapor. In the NEM season, columnar ozone was negatively correlated with H20 （-0.847）, NO2 （0.754）, and CO2 （0.477）; columnar ozone was also negatively but weakly correlated with CH4 （-0.035）. In the SWM season, columnar ozone was highly positively correlated with NO2 （0.855）, CO2 （0.572）, and CH4（0.321） and also highly negatively correlated with H2O（-0.832）. Both multiple regression and principal component analyses were used to predict the columnar ozone value in Peninsular Malaysia. We obtained the best-fitting regression equations for the columnar ozone data using four independent variables. Our results show approxi- mately the same R value （≈0.83） for both the NEM and SWM seasons.

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitism among two indigenous subethnic groups in Peninsular Malaysia

Background:Intestinal parasitic infections(IPIs)among indigenous people have been widely documented in Malaysia,however,the prevalence of these infections remains high.In the past,most studies have focused on specific species of parasites but polyparasitism has received limited attention.In addition,epidemiology studies on indigenous people tend to consider them as a homogenous group,whereas in reality different sub-ethnic groups have different cultural and living practices.Variations in living habits such as personal hygiene practices may predispose different groups to different parasitic infections.To better understand prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitism among different sub-ethnic groups,the present study was conducted among two sub-ethnic groups of indigenous people(Temuan and Mah Meri)residing in Selangor state,Malaysia.Methods:A cross-sectional study that focused on two distinct sub-ethnic groups was carried out from February to September 2014.Faecal samples were collected from 186 participants and examined using the formalin-ether sedimentation technique.A molecular approach was adopted to conduct a genetic characterisation of the parasites.Additionally,questionnaires were administered to obtain information on the demographics,socioeconomic backgrounds and behavioural risks relating to the participants,as well as information about their environments.Statistical analyses(i.e.binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses)were performed to measure risk factors.Results:For Temuan communities,trichuriasis(64.2%)was the most common infection found,preceding hookworm infection(34%),ascariasis(7.5%),giardiasis(14.2%)and amoebiasis(7.5%).As for the Mah Meri communities,trichuriasis(77.5%)prevailed over ascariasis(21.3%),hookworm(15%),giardiasis(7.5%)and amoebiasis(3.8%).Significant differences in proportions of trichuriasis,ascariasis and hookworm infections were observed between the Temuan and Mah Meri sub-ethnic groups.Polyparasitism was more common among the Temuan sub-ethnic group(41.5%)compared to the Mah Meri sub-ethnic group(32.5%),with the majority of participants harbouring two parasites concurrently(Temuan:33%,Mah Meri:20%).Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides co-infections were most prevalent(10%)among the Mah Meri communities,while a co-infection of T.trichiura with hookworm(19.8%)was most common among the Temuan communities.Multivariate analyses showed that being unemployed,having a large family and drinking unboiled water were found to be significantly associated with intestinal parasitism.Conclusion:The present study highlights substantial polyparasitism and risk factors for infections in the Temuan and Mah Meri sub-ethnic groups.The high prevalence of IPIs among these two sub-ethnic groups indicates that parasitic infections are important health issues in these communities.Hence,it is imperative to implement sound intervention strategies such as periodic preventive chemotherapy coupled with health education in order to reduce and eradicate these infections.

马来半岛东部晚三叠世岩浆作用及其古特提斯构造意义

马来半岛广泛发育的晚古生代‒早中生代岩浆作用完整地记录了古特提斯洋俯冲‒碰撞‒消亡的演化历史。该洋盆于中‒晚三叠世关闭,随之发生陆‒陆碰撞、地壳增厚以及造山带垮塌,区域上形成大规模的碰撞后火成岩,构成了东南亚古特提斯巨型火成岩带东部和中部花岗岩省的重要组成部分,但关于其岩石成因及构造背景仍然存在不同认识。因此,本文对马来半岛东部晚三叠世花岗岩开展了详细的岩相学、年代学以及地球化学研究,并结合区域地质资料综合探讨了晚三叠世岩浆作用的演化规律及深部动力学过程。研究表明马来半岛东部晚三叠世花岗岩可以分成两组:第一组为231~222 Ma,样品显示出较为富集的同位素特征((^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i=0.72040~0.72518,εNd(t)=−10.4~−6.7,εHf(t)=−11.5~+0.1),来自变火成岩和变杂砂岩的混合源区;第二组样品形成于218~216 Ma,对应的(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)i=0.70576~0.71464,εNd(t)=−9.1~−3.9,εHf(t)=−3.9~+1.9,表明其源区存在一定新生地壳物质的参与,且Ga/Al、FeO^(T)/(FeO^(T)+MgO)值及锆石饱和温度相对较高,具有典型的A型花岗岩特征。年代学结果表明古特提斯东部和中部花岗岩省晚三叠世岩浆作用的峰期为220 Ma,且具有相似的元素‒同位素变化规律,证实古特提斯洋碰撞后造山垮塌主要发生于220 Ma,软流圈上涌促使中‒下地壳物质发生部分熔融从而形成了区域大规模的岩浆作用。

Seismological Activities in Malaysia

In this paper, the development of the National Seismic Network of Malaysia is described first. Then, the maximum intensities on the Modified Mercalli (MM) scale experienced by Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia and the damage to man-made structures caused by earthquakes are analyzed. Finally, the seismic risk management and strategy to mitigate seismic risk in Malaysia are outlined.

Community’s Perspectives towards Marine Protected Area in Perhentian Marine Park, Malaysia

The Perhentian Islands located in the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia. They are well-known for their rich coral reef ecosystems. Marine resources of Malaysia have been overexploited in general due to overfishing and other development activities. Such no-take marine protected areas (MPAs) were established in Malaysia including Perhentian Islands Marine Park to enable overexploited marine resources to recover and to conserve coral reef ecosystems. This paper examines the current level of activities causing damages to the coral reef habitats in the Perhentian MPA. This study used paired comparison method to elicit the perception of the local stakeholders on the activities harmful to the marine habitats. The results of the analysis showed that various respondent groups had similar preference rankings on the harmful activities: littering, discarding fishing equipments, excess fishing and too many divers that cause damage to the habitats in the MPA area. The findings suggest that policy makers should take cognizance of the local stakeholders’ concern in planning and designing of marine protected areas in Malaysia.

Jurassic-Cretaceous Stratigraphy of Malaysia

In Peninsular Malaysia, the Jurassic-Cretaceous sequences are represented by continental deposits in several isolated basins. Generally, the sequences are characterised by the fining upward sequences, comprising reddish brown to red siltstone, sandstone and conglomerate often interpreted as molasse sequences. In Sabah and Sarawak, the Jurassic-Cretaceous sequences are represented by the marine deposits comprising argillaceous, some arenaceous and calcareous rocks and associated chert, lava, and pyroclastics.

Evaluation of Climate Suitability for Oil Palm （Elaeis guineensis Jacq,） Cultivation

At the moment there is no system to evaluate climate suitability for oil palm cultivation. Most of land evaluation systems in Peninsular Malaysia often overlooked climate as not important on the assumption that the effect of climatic factors on oil palm yield are small. The system to evaluate climate suitability was proposed and it follows the FAO Framework for Land Evaluation but employs a parametric approach using climatic data which are easily available. The climatic criteria used are mean annual temperature, mean daily maximum temperature, mean daily minimum temperature, mean annual rainfall, length of dry season, amount of sunshine and mean annual relative humidity. The evaluation of climate was carried out using information from nine meteorological stations in Peninsular Malaysia viz. Alor Star （Kedah）, Ipoh （Perak）, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca （Malacca）, Kluang （Johore）, Senai （Johore）, Kuantan （Pahang）, Kuala Krai （Kelantan） and Tanah Merah （Kelantan）. The results for actual suitability classification showed that eight of the stations are highly suitable （S 1） for oil palm cultivation with land indices ranging from 75 to 93. One station Alor Star is moderately suitable （S2y） due to dry season. The results for potential suitability classification showed that all the stations are highly suitable for oil palm cultivation with land indices ranging from 90 to 99.

马来西亚半岛及泰国的“缝合带”对东南亚古构造再造的意义

在几乎所有有关东南亚的古构造再造中，人们普遍认为从泰国到马来西亚半岛存在着一条或多条长缝合带。但是这两地业已建立起来的有关缝合带的地质证据却与古构造模式依据的许多地质解释与推论相悖。除泰国难－程逸缝合带可能例外外，其他缝合带与俯冲过程的关系很值得怀疑。现行再造方案所提出的致使冈瓦纳块体与亚洲块体相联合的碰撞事件的时代始终是最关键的问题之一。就该区主要造山运动而言，能够对此难题做出解释的古生物、地层、火山岩、变质岩及构造方面的证据，给出了与模式不相一致的年代结果。

马六甲海峡两岸土地覆被变化数据集(1990-2017)

土地覆被遥感信息提取是研究海岸带土地利用现状和生态环境变化的重要方式。本文提出了基于时相的标准归一化植被指数(Standard Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,SNDVI)建立了农用地的提取规则,并综合利用基于规则的面向对象分类法和监督分类法,获取了马六甲海峡两岸40 km区域土地覆被分类信息,获取了马六甲海峡两岸40 km区域土地覆被分类信息,经验证,总体分类精度达到92%。分析结果表明,离岸线0-20 km区域的开发强度明显高于20-40 km区域。1990-2017年间,马来西亚半岛西岸40 km区域建设用地占比增加7.4%,农用地占比增加12.4%,林地减少21.5%。苏门答腊岛东岸40km区域建设用地占比增加3.2%,农用地占比增加17.2%,林地减少20.4%。数据的空间分辨率为30 m。数据集存储为TIFF格式,由8个数据文件组成,数据量3.36 GB(压缩为1个文件,47.9 MB)。