Chee Kong Yap’s research while affiliated with Universiti Putra Malaysia and other places

Air pollution is an environmental risk assessment method conducted in this journal review. Air pollution data review before the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and after was answered by respondents. These respondents were collected randomly without selection of demographic ranges from non-university students in Malaysia within a period of 47 days. The data was then interpreted based on their demographic range, reviews, knowledge and awareness. It was to find out that there was no significant difference between demographic changes such as occupation, gender and race. Generally, it is to find that the air pollution (K et al., 2018) problem decreases after MCO where respondents have more positive opinions. Respondents also act neutrally when facing economic importance in environmental problems. However, respondents are active and positive in helping the environment personally or individually rather than collaborating with the country’s efforts in terms of financial contribution. The study is important to study the effect of air pollution in Malaysia, especially Selangor and KL as a city, to assess the pollution index and reduce ecological toxicology effects on affected areas. More studies need to be discovered for risk assessment of organisms in these involved areas as well. The primary objective of this study is to assess public perceptions of air pollution in Malaysia before and after the MCO (Turrentine & Mackenzie). The research also examines how demographic factors such as age, occupation, and race influence these perceptions.

This study evaluates the biodiversity and ecological condition of the Gombak River ecosystem in Kampung Padang Balang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, amidst significant urbanization and pollution pressures. Field surveys identified 15 species, comprising 15 genera, 12 families, 12 orders, and six classes, showcasing the river’s rich but vulnerable biodiversity. Terrestrial and marine plants from the division Magnoliophyta dominated the ecosystem, accounting for 66.67% of the recorded species, with notable representatives including Trichosanthes scabra, Leucaena leucocephala, and Ipomoea triloba. Vertebrate species from the division Chordata contributed 26.67% of the diversity, with the reptile Varanus salvator and three bird species—Mycteria leucocephala, Butorides striata, and Acridotheres tristis—being recorded. Additionally, the invertebrate Junonia orithya from the division Arthropoda accounted for 6.67% of the species. Photographic documentation provided detailed visual records of the floral and faunal diversity, emphasizing the intricate ecological interactions within this urban riverine system. The results highlight the Gombak River's ecological importance and the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts and pollution control measures to protect its biodiversity. This study serves as a foundation for future research and conservation strategies aimed at preserving urban river ecosystems amidst growing environmental challenges.

This study aimed to investigate cadmium (Cd) bioaccumulation and detoxification mechanisms in Pomacea insularum, based on specimens collected from 13 field populations in Peninsular Malaysia and transplantation experiments between polluted and unpolluted sites. Cd concentrations were analyzed in eight tissues, including the cephalic tentacle (CT), pineal sac (PS), digestive tract (DT), and shell, to determine their roles in metal uptake, storage, and excretion. The highest Cd concentration was recorded in the PS (13.5 mg/kg dry weight), while followed by the shells (5.91 mg/kg dry weight), indicating its role as a long-term sequestration site. Notably, the PS showed exceptionally high Cd accumulation, suggesting its potential as a sensitive biomarker for prolonged exposure. The transplantation study revealed that snails relocated from unpolluted to polluted sites accumulated Cd up to 5.22 mg/kg, while those transferred from polluted to unpolluted environments retained Cd between 1.00 and 6.03 mg/kg, indicating slow depuration and tissue-dependent retention. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated significant interactions among soft tissues, with filtering and digestive organs playing a primary role in detoxification, while calcified structures contributed to long-term Cd sequestration. These findings highlight P. insularum as an effective biomonitor for assessing environmental Cd contamination and bioavailability, providing insights into both short-term exposure and long-term metal storage. Overall, this study reinforces the suitability of P. insularum in biomonitoring programs by demonstrating its ability to accumulate and retain Cd across different human activities. The exceptionally high Cd retention in specific tissues, particularly the PS, highlighting the importance of targeted tissue analysis for pollution assessment. Integrating P. insularum into long-term monitoring strategies can provide valuable data on contamination trends, aiding environmental management and freshwater ecosystem conservation.

This study assesses lead (Pb) contamination in paddy soils and rice grains from two rice-growing regions in Kelantan, Malaysia: Kemuning and Kelaweh. By evaluating estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) values for Pb in adults and children, the study aims to quantify the health risks associated with rice consumption in these regions. The highest Pb concentrations were observed in the "Outlet" zones of Kelaweh, where the THQ for Pb in adults reached 69.3 and for children reached 37.9, indicating significant potential health risks. In contrast, Kemuning exhibited lower Pb contamination, though the "Outlet" zone still presented moderate risks, with THQ values of 11.4 for adults and 8.11 for children. The study underscores the need for immediate intervention through environmental management and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce Pb contamination, ensuring rice consumption's safety and protecting the region's public health. The findings of this study are intended to inform future public health interventions and agricultural practices to mitigate Pb contamination, ensuring that rice production remains safe and sustainable in the long term.

This study provides a comprehensive review of the research surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear incident, focusing on its far-reaching impacts on human health, and environmental contamination. Based on the Scopus database, 258 relevant papers were identified using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. These papers were metal-analyzed and quantitatively analyzed using a similarity map generated through VOSViewer in order to visualize key themes and their interconnections. The research highlights critical areas such as radiation-induced health effects, ecological damage, and the implications for sustainable energy practices. Additionally, this review explores the alignment of these findings with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), particularly UNSDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), UNSDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), UNSDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), UNSDG 13 (Climate Action), and UNSDG 15 (Life on Land). By synthesizing existing research, this study emphasizes the importance of integrating safety protocols, environmental rehabilitation, and sustainable energy policies to prevent and to mitigate the impacts of future nuclear incidents.

This study explores the complex relationships between population growth, gross domestic productivity (GDP), carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, primary energy consumption, and renewable energy (RE) production in Canada from 1950 to 2021. Using time-series econometric techniques, including Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models, and cointegration analysis, the research investigates how these variables interact over time and their implications for environmental sustainability and economic development. The results indicate that population and GDP growth significantly increase primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions, emphasizing the need for cleaner energy sources. While the positive correlation between population growth and renewable energy production presents opportunities for reducing carbon footprints and fostering economic resilience, there are also risks of overexploitation of renewable resources if energy demand outpaces sustainable supply. The study highlights the importance of sustainable resource management and policy frameworks to ensure that economic growth does not compromise environmental integrity. These findings provide critical insights for policymakers in balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, advocating for increased investment in renewable energy and implementing energy-efficient practices. Future research should expand this analysis to other countries and explore the differentiated impact of various renewable energy sources on economic and environmental outcomes.

This study assesses the ecological health and biodiversity of Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, an urban recreational park in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Field observations documented 14 species across six classes, reflecting a relatively intact ecological state despite its urban location. Notable findings include the adaptability of species such as Passer montanus and Copsychus saularis to moderate pollution, while biomonitor organisms like Cornu aspersum and Typha latifolia provided crucial insights into pollution levels and ecosystem conditions. The presence of invasive species, such as Sphagneticola trilobata, highlights ecological disturbances and the need for targeted habitat management. Avian species, including Leptocoma zeylonica and Acridotheres javanicus, demonstrated the dual impact of urbanization on bird diversity, with some species thriving while others preferred less disturbed habitats. The study also noted the presence of reptiles such as Varanus salvator, Calotes versicolor, and Trachemys scripta, which favor semi-aquatic and aquatic habitats. The park’s low pollution levels, attributed to regular maintenance and isolation from major contamination sources such as factories and landfills, further reinforce its role as an ecological refuge. However, the findings emphasize the importance of continuous biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration, and sustainable management practices to preserve the park’s ecological integrity amidst urbanization pressures.

Nurcahyo FD, Zen HM, ‘Azizah HPN, Nugroho GD, Ramdhun D, Yap CK, Indrawan M, Setyawan AD. 2024. The community structure of Echinodermata (Echinoidea and Holothuroidea) on seagrass ecosystem in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 4561-4571. Echinoderms, which encompass various classes such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers, play a crucial role in marine ecosystems and contribute significantly to maintaining ecological balance. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the composition structure of echinoderms (Echinoidea and Holothuroidea) in several beaches of Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The survey was conducted on March 2024 at Pringjono Beach, Dadap Ayam Beach, Ngrenehan Beach, Torohudan Beach, and Ngrawah Beach. Data analyzed included species diversity, density and ecological indices of echinoderms (Echinoidea and Holothuroidea) at each beach location. The research findings revealed that across the five beaches of Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, there were two classes of echinoderms, namely Echinoidea (sea urchins) and Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers), with a total of 7 identified species, namely Echinometra mathaei, Echinometra oblonga, Heterocentrotus trigonarius, Tripneustes gratilla, Colobocentrotus atratus, Stomopneustes variolaris, and Holothuria leucospilota. Only one beach recorded the presence of sea cucumbers, while the number of sea urchin species varied at each beach. Dadap Ayam Beach recorded the highest number of sea urchin species, followed by Ngrenehan Beach. Additionally, Dadap Ayam Beach exhibited higher values of species diversity and richness compared to other beaches. A total of seven echinoderm species were identified, with a total abundance of 367 individuals/1000 m2. The beaches in this study showed variations in the diversity and distribution of echinoderms, particularly Echinoidea and Holothuroidea. However, overall species diversity and richness values were generally low, indicating the potential vulnerability of these ecosystems.

Molluscs possess a unique capability to filter and remove pollutants from water, offering a natural and effective solution to combat marine pollution. Their filtration process not only enhances water quality but also mitigates the detrimental impacts of contaminants on marine ecosystems. As climate change introduces unprecedented challenges, the resilience of molluscs-particularly in adapting to rising temperatures and ocean acidification-highlights their critical role in sustaining marine ecosystem balance. This paper reviews the literature on molluscs from 1874 to 2024, as documented in the Scopus database, analyzing 5,757 publications retrieved on 8 March 2024. Five major insights emerged: (a) molluscs’ significant ecological role, (b) the potential of marine bivalves for ecosystem health and sustainability, (c) the importance of monitoring molluscs to address climate change, (d) the scarcity of studies linking molluscs to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, and (e) existing knowledge gaps. Understanding and monitoring mollusc populations are essential for advancing environmental stewardship, fostering social responsibility, and promoting sound governance. Integrating these aspects within business operations can support marine ecosystem resilience and reflect a commitment to the planet's and society's holistic well-being.