Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli

• Ph.D. (UTokyo), MRSB
• Senior Lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia

A study was conducted on sediment samples from Kuala Sungai Buloh, located within the cockle cultivation area of Selangor. The research focused on assessing the presence of selected heavy metals, including zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd). The total concentration of heavy metals within the sediment matrix was determined through a...

With a high likelihood of being discharged into aquatic habitats, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been widely employed in a variety of industrial and commercial goods. Concerns over their effects on the environment and human health have grown. This study evaluated the developmental toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the embryo Java med...

Many aquatic ecosystems are vulnerable to many pollutants, particularly heavy metals that are now a threat to public health. It may be more effective to manage pollution in waterways if we can better understand the con�nection between heavy metals in sediments and their accumulation in green mussels. In this study, lead levels in green mussels (Per...

Heavy metal speciation in surface sediments and their impact on the bioaccu-mulation of green mussels (Perna viridis) from the eastern part of the Straits of Johor, Malaysia Heavy metal speciation in surface sediments and their impact on the bioaccumulation of green mussels (Perna viridis) from the eastern part of the Straits of Johor, Malaysia, To...

This study aimed to identify the toxicity effect of Diuron on Tegillarca granosa by determining accumulation in the soft tissues and alteration on the gill tissue structure. Wild stocks T. granosa were grouped to identify the initial Diuron concentration and 48-h exposure in different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg·L⁻¹). The Diuron in tissue...

This study explores the potential effects of alien fishes on the native fish community, well-being, and tropic preferences in selected rivers of Klang Valley, Malaysia. Following the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit assessment, most of the alien fishes (80%) are invasive. The alien species occurrences correlated positively (p < 0.05) with...

This study aims to provide insight knowledge on the potential reason for low blood cockles ( Tegillarca granosa ) production in Sungai Buloh Selangor by comparing the condition indices and histology of the gills and gonad with samples from a high yield farm at Sungai Ayam, Johor. Samples were collected in September 2020 and grouped for histological...

Grape seeds were utilized as a source for nanoparticle adsorbents. The objective of this work was to prepare a nano adsorbent from grape seeds (GS) and FeCl2. The physical and chemical properties of grape seed ferrous oxide nanoparticles (GS-IONPs) were investigated. Batch adsorption was used to investigate the adsorption of cadmium from industrial...

The aquatic organisms in peat swamp forests are under threat due to habitat degradation resulting from human activities. This study determines the fish gut microbes' diversity, composition, taxa biomarkers, and functional genes in peat swamp forests and its converted areas in North Selangor, Malaysia. Three undisturbed and disturbed areas nearby th...

Uncontrolled urbanization and growing industrialization are major sources of pollutants that affect the urban stormwater quality and, therefore, the receiving aquatic environment. The concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and Pb isotope ratios in surface sediment samples obtained from SMART holding and storage ponds l...

The aquatic organisms in peat swamp forests are under threat due to habitat degradation resulting from human activities. This study determines the fish gut microbes' diversity, composition, taxa biomarkers, and functional genes in peat swamp forests and its converted areas in North Selangor, Malaysia. Three undisturbed and disturbed areas nearby th...

Simple Summary In recent years, the production and distribution of ZnO NPs have gradually increased. As the number of ZnO NPs containing products grows, and the release of these products into the environment—particularly to the aquatic environment—has increased, several questions about their toxic effects on aquatic organisms have arisen. In this s...

Immunohistochemical techniques have been used to identify Metallothionein3 (MT3) expression specifically to detect MT3 levels in the kidney. The techniques employed are highly sensitive, thus allowing the detection of the very low amount of proteins with the use of antibodies. The present study aimed at identifying the MT3 expressions and localizat...

This paper aims to study the spatial and temporal patterns of selected agricultural runoff, specifically in terms of glyphosate, nitrate, and ammonia in bottom water, as well as their possible sources, within an active cockle farming area in Bagan Pasir, Perak, Malaysia. Samples were taken along the cockle farming area from March to November 2019....

Grape seeds (GS) used as starting materials to prepare biomass nanoparticle (GS-IONPs) by dry the grape seeds, grained it and dissolved on ethanol, evaporate, separate and mixed with iron chloride FeCl2 to prepare grab seeds nano particles as adsorbent. The aim of preparing this adsorbent is to remove some of heavy metals from aqueous solution by a...

The degradation of North Selangor Peat Swamp Forest (NSPSF) is promoted by both natural and artificial factors. This study attempts to understand the associations between the anthropogenic activities, forest characteristics and water qualities in the undisturbed NSPSF and its nearby disturbed area. In each area, three sites were sampled in undistur...

Aquatic systems are exposed to a vast number of pollutants that are mainly contained in effluents discharged from industries, sewage treatment plants, and drainage from urban and agricultural areas. This study was conducted to establish baseline information of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in the sediment of two rivers (Kuala Gula and...

Simple Summary Compound 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) is a degradation product of some herbicide and intermediate industrial chemicals of many products. Unregulated use of 3,4-DCA affects the reproduction of non-target organisms. In this study, the potential reproductive toxicity of 3,4-DCA on Javanese medaka, a native sentinel organism distributed...

A good understanding of the public's knowledge and perceptions of alien fish species can guide policymakers to gain support for conservation and management programs. Using online and hardcopy questionnaires (n = 304), this study investigated public knowledge and perceptions of the impacts and importance of alien fish species in Malaysia, as well as...

Background: Several types of research have been recently carried out on the biological effects of TBTs, including investigations of genitals in invertebrates in response to exposure to TBTs in marine water. Aim: The objective of this research was to investigate the acute effects of tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) on gonads in the adult stage of Arte...

Heavy metals are well-known environmental pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in the environment, and bioaccumulative nature. Resistance pollution includes heavy metal that has become one of the most serious environmental problems threatening human health. The management and treatment of heavy metals are of special concern due to their pe...

Porous activated carbon prepared from palm date fronds (PDF) using physiochemical activation (KOH treatment and carbon dioxide gasification). The effects of the activation temperature, activation time and chemical impregnation ratios on the carbon yield, heavy metals [copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)] removal were investigated. From the analysis of varian...

Biochar prepared in this work from Iraqi date palm bunch fruits (DPBF) for the removal of cadmium metal ions from aqueous solutions. The starting materials (precursors) of (DPBF) were cutting in small pieces, cleaned, dried and carbonized at 400 o C for 90 min under inert gas (N2), once the prepared date palm bunch fruits biochar (DPBFB) ready, it...

Malaysia is one of the top ten countries in the world that produce freshwater ornamental fishes. This industry can offer better livelihood opportunities to many poor households. However, most of the produced ornamental fishes are alien to Malaysia. In this study, we explore the contribution of alien freshwater fishes to the income of ornamental fis...

Realizing the potential of expanding rubber forest plantations in Malaysia and the increasing awareness of biodiversity, the Bukit Kuantan rubber forest plantation portrays its ecofriendly nature through several initiatives such as conservation of natural forest fragment within the plantation landscape. By using birds as an indicator, this work aim...

Continuous use of products containing vanadium (V) and nickel (Ni) along the coastal areas present potential threat to the coastal environment and biota. Hence, this study was conducted to determine V and Ni geochemical speciation in surface sediments from selected mangrove areas along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The four-steps sequentia...

The occurrence of megaflood may significantly alter the natural processes and overall condition in the impacted areas, including estuary locations receiving massive freshwater discharges from terrestrial areas to the sea. The present study is aimed to investigate the food web structure in Kelantan Delta (i.e., a naturally disturbed mangrove area) a...

Technological advances, coupled with increasing demands by consumers, have led to a drastic increase in plastic production. After serving their purposes, these plastics reach our water bodies as their destination and become ingested by aquatic organisms. This ubiquitous phenomenon has exposed humans to microplastics mostly through the consumption o...

Invasive introduced fish species are well known for their deleterious impacts on aquatic biodiversity and environment. This study provides the first report on the occurrence of introduced Amazon sailfin catfish, Pterygoplichthys pardalis from the Gombak basin, Selangor, Malaysia, where the suckermouth catfish, Hypostomus plecostomus and vermiculate...

The importation of non-native fish species into Malaysia began as early as the 19th century, when a substantial number of non-native fishes were introduced from southern China, heralding the beginning of aquaculture in Malaysia. In this review, we analyzed the available literature on the history, checklists, current status, production trends, and p...

Examination of the impact of Diuron contamination on blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa) was conducted by combining field screening at three sampling events and a toxicity test. Diuron was extracted using the liquid liquid extraction (LLE) technique and analyzed using HPLC-UV. The median lethal concentration (LC 50) of Diuron on T. granosa was teste...

Some herbicides exert hormetic or biphasic non-monotonic dose-response (NMDR), which is one of the major challenges for ecological risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides pollution. In this study, fish embryo toxicity test (FET) with Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) to sublethal concentration of diuron was determined. Inverted U-shape heart rate was...

Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) is one of the most productive and managed forests in the world. On the other hand, it has become a concern whether MMFR is being degraded as a result of exposure to industrial pollution. Industries located around MMFR dispose effluents contaminated by heavy metals. This study was conducted to analyze heavy meta...

Disposal of industrial wastewater has resulted in increased concentration of heavy metals (HMs) along the coastline of Malaysia. However, little is known about the accumulation capacity of HMs by Rhizophora apiculata in Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) Malaysia. The aim of this study is to measure the concentration of HMs in different ages of...

This study aimed to determine the nitrite toxicity of blood cockle Tegillarca granosa, with the objectives being to identify the median lethal concentration (LC50) and the accumulation level of nitrite in Tegillarca granosa, and to determine the relationship of nitrite accumulation with mortality percentage. The levels of LC50 and accumulation of n...

Early-life exposure to toxic chemicals causes irreversible morphological and physiological abnormalities that may last for a lifetime. The present study aimed to determine the toxicity effect of 3,4-Dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) on Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) embryos. Healthy embryos were exposed to various 3,4-DCA concentrations for acute toxi...

The annual production of Tegillarca granosa in Perak and Selangor is constantly decreasing since 1996, however a different production pattern was reported in Johor where it was fluctuated for the past years. Thus, this study was done to provide information on the health condition of T. granosa through morphological observation of the biological att...

The emerging of organotins (OTs) have adverse effect toward marine organisms and expose health problem through dietary uptake of contaminated seafood. While the booster biocide creates significant environmental risks mainly on the base of the marine food chain. The present study reported on the baseline data on the level and distribution of organot...

Booster biocides have been rapidly growing in use, mainly in the shipping industry and in agricultural activities. The use of booster biocides is known to cause adverse effects on marine ecosystems, such as by inhibiting the photosynthesis process in marine plants, and they have the potential to accumulate in marine organisms. In the present study,...

In previous studies focused on a nauplii stage of Artemia sp as a model to acute toxicity tests to detection of antifouling as an active agent against fouling marine organisms as Tributyltin Chloride (TBTCl). This research aims to investigate the toxicities of (TBTCl) on hatching dry cysts and morphological changes on newly nauplii of Artemia salin...

Simple Summary The broadening of the agriculture domain around the world is causing excessive utilization of herbicides worldwide. The usage of herbicide Diuron towards the non-targeted aquatic organism may not directly cause death, but small sublethal doses of long-term exposure can cause detrimental consequences not only towards the individual it...

In order to understand the life history of the Asian swamp eel, Monopterus javanensis found in paddy fields, the time of maturation of its gonads was studied by using the gonadal somatic index. The peak gonadal somatic index was first found during the ploughing and seedling seasons in 2011 and 2012. This was accompanied by the yellowish egg sac obs...

An ideal model organism for neurotoxicology research should meet several characteristics, such as low cost and amenable for high throughput testing. Javanese medaka (JM) has been widely used in the ecotoxicological studies related to the marine and freshwater environment, but rarely utilize for biomedical research. Therefore, in this study, the app...

A non-coastal cockle farming area such as an estuaries zone might become an alternative for continuous and sustainable cockle supply in the future. The main objective of this research is to determine the growth and mortality rate of Tegillarca granosa (T. granosa) within an estuary area. Three cockle plots were allocated along the estuary area of K...

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are ubiquitous metals widely distributed in the environment, resulting in toxic health effects. This project aims to evaluate Pb and Cd as toxic elements in 15 different tobacco cigarette brands produced and/or sold in Selangor state, Peninsular Malaysia. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in all tobacco brands tested in thi...

This study used productivity models and above ground biomass to investigate productivity in different sites of MMFR. Ninety Rhizophora apiculata leaf samples were collected from different compartments (18, 31, 71, 74, 42 and 55) based on tree age and management. For biomass calculation, tree height and diameter were measured in plot of 10m x 10m in...

Diuron has been substantially used in different parts of the world as an herbicide and as a bioactive ingredient in antifouling paint. However, knowledge on the toxicity of Diuron that could adversely affect non-targeted aquatic organisms, especially fish; is still deficient. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the possible sublethal e...

This work investigates the metals concentration in the tissues of Asian swamp eel, Monopterus albus. Five selected tissues, including liver, gill, bone, skin, and muscle were examined for the concentration of Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Ni. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were found high in the muscle tissues of the eels. Additionally, high amounts of Zn a...

This study determines the associations between the presence of bacteria and water physico-chemical parameters in peat swamp forest, paddy field and oil palm plantation in north Selangor, Malaysia. Sampling of bacteria and water physico-chemical parameters were conducted from four sites in the peat swamp forest, two sites each in paddy field and oil...

Antifouling compounds are widely used in paints applied on ship hulls to prevent attachment of fouling organisms. However, a certain amount of these chemicals could leach from the painted surface, enter seawater, and pose deleterious effects on various marine biotas. The present study aimed to determine the concentration of organotin (OT) compounds...

Background Levels of toxic metal exposure in indigenous inhabitants are key bioindicators of the severity of environmental contamination. This study measured the seasonal variation of heavy metals and metallothionein (MT) contents in Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus) from a paddy field situated in Tumpat, Kelantan, Malaysia, to identify prevalenc...

In this study, water samples from river in Tanjung Malim were analyzed for demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH 3-N), total dissolved solid (TDS), suspended solid (SS), pH, and heavy metals including Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn, and Fe. The variations in these parameters were evaluated with the chemometric technique. The results from the...

Tropical peat swamp forest (PSF) is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. However, the impacts of anthropogenic activities in PSF and its conversion area towards fish biodiversity are less understood. This study investigates the influences of water physico-chemical parameters on fish occurrences in peat swamp, paddy field and oil palm...

p>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) comprised of many dangerous organic pollutants which affect human cell. The choice of phenanthrene and pyrene as model substrates was based on their classification among the most hazardous PAHs group by the US EPA where they belonged to low and high molecular weights PAHs respectively. Biodegradation of the...

Multi-elemental and isotopic fingerprints could help to track changes in mangrove forest productivity and development. This study aims to identify elemental concentrations and stable isotope ratios in inter- and intra-mangrove species along the inundation gradient of the Matang mangrove forest. Matured sun leaves of different mangrove species, name...

Abstract: Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) has the potential to be a good biological indicator for toxic exposure because they have an almost similar physiology and behaviour to humans. The objective of this study is to determine the concentration of lead (Pb) in hair samples of long-tailed macaques which were found in and out of the Kuala...

Heavy metals bioavailability, organic matter and grain size were investigated in the surface sediment of Sungai Puloh mangrove area using modified sequential extraction technique, loss on ignition and pipette method, respectively. There was elevated level of heavy metals concentration for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni as high as 1.46, 202.34, 225.47, 650.8...

Asian swamp eel, Monopterus albus (Synbranchidae), a sex reversal, air-breathing and eel-like exotic fish is common in freshwater area of the East and Southeast Asia, and even has been reported in Florida waters in 1997. This fish is easily found in paddy fields, ponds, rivers and swampy areas. People, especially farmers, acknowledge it important f...

This study was conducted to investigate the median lethal concentration (LC50) of copper pyrithione (CuPT) at 96-hr exposure on adult Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) in revealing toxicological effects of CuPT contamination in the tropical area. Wild stock fishes were acclimatized for 14-days prior analysis. Triplicate of test tanks for seven te...

Diuron is an alternative biocide suggested to replace organotin in formulating antifouling paints to be applied on water-going vessels hull. However, it is potentially harmful to various non-targeted marine organisms due to its toxic properties. Present study aimed to isolate, screen and identify the potential of Diuron-degrading bacteria collected...

Heavy metal pollution has become a global concern due to accumulation in tissue and transferable effects to humans via the food chain. This study focused on monitoring the accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in surface soil and body content: bone, heart, brain, liver, lung, muscle, kidney, feathers, feces, and gizzard contents of house crow...

Multi-elemental and isotopic fingerprints could help to track changes in mangrove forest productivity and development. This study aims to identify elemental concentrations and stable isotope ratios in inter- and intra-mangrove species along the inundation gradient of the Matang mangrove forest. Matured sun leaves of different mangrove species, name...

Abstract Introduction of antifouling chemicals can pose a threat to non-targeted organisms. Utilization of bioindicator to monitor antifouling contamination is important by observing effects and mortality rate. Juveniles stage of Artemia salina is a critical period because it is sensitive to changes occurring in the surrounding. Elevation of anthro...

Abstract This study applied the use of sequential extraction technique (SET) and simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET) to quantify the bioavailable fractions and the human bioaccessible concentration of metals collected from nine stations in surface sediment of the Langat River. The concentrations of total and bioaccessible metals from di...

Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) has the potential to be developed as a test organism. It also exhibited many characteristics that are similar to well-known laboratory fishes. This study determines the effects of water pH on the survival, reproductive performances, and ultrastructure of gonads, gills and skins of Javanese medaka. This study conf...

Phenanthrene and pyrene are low and high molecular weights polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being classified as priority organic pollutants in the environment. This study was aimed to optimizing PAHs biodegradation conditions and then identifying intermediate metabolites using effective Enterobacter sp. MM087 (KT933254). Biodegradation quant...

Elevation of tributyltin (TBT) concentration in marine environment could affect targeted and non-targeted organisms at any lifestage. The present study aimed to determine median lethal concentration (LC50) and morphological effects of tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) on adult males and females of brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The adult males and femal...

Diuron is one of the alternative compounds that had been introduced by the paint manufacturer to be used in the coating paints. It is used to replace organotin-based paint that is prohibited to be used due to its deleterious effects on non-target organisms. However, significant amount of Diuron that been released resulted from shipping moved was ac...

Mercury (Hg) is highly toxic and potent neurotoxin. This study investigated bioaccumulation of mercury in a new model fish species, Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus) under sublethal levels and effects of mercury exposure on gonads via histological studies. A total of 150 adults of O. javanicus were exposed to mercury at five different concentrati...

The present study applied the use of sequential extraction technique and simple bioaccessibility extraction test to investigate the bioavailable fractions and the human bioaccessible concentration of metals collected from nine stations in surface sediment of the Bernam River. The concentrations of total and bioaccessible metals from different stati...