Aerobic Methanotrophy and Co-occurrence Networks of a Tropical Rainforest and Oil Palm Plantations in Malaysia.

Oil palm (OP) plantations are gradually replacing tropical rainforest in Malaysia, one of the largest palm oil producers globally. Conversion of lands to OP plantations has been associated with compositional shifts of the microbial community, with consequences on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. While the impact of the change in land use has recently been investigated for microorganisms involved in N2O emission, the response of the aerobic methanotrophs to OP agriculture remains to be determined. Here, we monitored the bacterial community composition, focusing on the aerobic methanotrophs, in OP agricultural soils since 2012, 2006, and 1993, as well as in a tropical rainforest, in 2019 and 2020. High-affinity methane uptake was confirmed, showing significantly lower rates in the OP plantations than in the tropical rainforest, but values increased with continuous OP agriculture. The bacterial, including the methanotrophic community composition, was modified with ongoing OP agriculture. The methanotrophic community composition was predominantly composed of unclassified methanotrophs, with the canonical (Methylocystis) and putative methanotrophs thought to catalyze high-affinity methane oxidation present at higher relative abundance in the oldest OP plantation. Results suggest that the methanotrophic community was relatively more stable within each site, exhibiting less temporal variations than the total bacterial community. Uncharacteristically, a 16S rRNA gene-based co-occurrence network analysis revealed a more complex and connected community in the OP agricultural soil, which may influence the resilience of the bacterial community to disturbances. Overall, we provide a first insight into the ecology and role of the aerobic methanotrophs as a methane sink in OP agricultural soils.

Toxicity effect of Diuron on gill tissue structure and the tissue residue of blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa).

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 was extracted using an established procedure and identified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Gills were analysed for histopathological study; tissue structure was classified and scored using a developed scoring system. Diuron concentration in the soft tissue of exposed T. granosa was in the range 1.27-8.09 mg·kg-1, w/w and not proportionately increase along with the exposure concentration. The mean index values of the gill histopathology ranged from 5.25-7.67 and classified as moderate to severe. Gills characteristics and T. granosa protective behaviour potentially limit Diuron accumulation in the soft tissue.

Invasive Water Hyacinth: Ecology, Impacts and Prospects for the Rural Economy.

Water hyacinth (WH) is notorious for causing severe environmental degradation and being an economic burden to manage. However, it offers substantial prospects if exploited, especially by rural communities. High temperatures, eutrophic conditions and other environmental factors promote the proliferation of the plant in regions where it has been introduced. Regarded as among the world's worst invasive weeds, WH is nearly impossible to control and eradicate without an integrated approach and community participation. The effectiveness of control methods varies, yet sustained community involvement determines the long-term success of these methods. Reproducing rapidly, WH has the resource capacity to support a unique microeconomic ecosystem, incentivising WH control by generating sustainable income. The WH ecology, the socioeconomic impacts of its invasion and its various applications are reviewed, and revenue generation and cost-saving options are highlighted. A circular microeconomic model is proposed by integrating WH valorisation into the general limitations of a rural community. Empowering locals with opportunities and enticing them with potential economic gains can be a nudge towards a pro-environment behavioural change in managing WH. This would aid in upgrading local livelihoods and could foster resilience within the community in tackling both environmental problems and economic setbacks through the management of WH invasions.

Baseline distribution and sources of selected agricultural runoff in the bottom water of an active cockle farming area, Bagan Pasir, Perak, Malaysia.

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. Glyphosate was analyzed using HPLC with both extraction and derivatization methods using 9-fluorenyl-methyl chloroformate (FMOC-Cl), while nitrate and ammonia levels were determined using the standard Hach method. Generally, glyphosate, nitrate, and ammonia were present within the study site with the average concentration of 37.44 ± 12.27 µg/l, 1.65 ± 0.52 mg/l, and 0.37 ± 0.19 mg/l, respectively. The results suggest that glyphosate and nitrate might be derived from an inland source, while a uniform and low level of ammonia suggested might originate from lithogenic origins. Continuous monitoring remains encouraged.

Impact of Diuron contamination on blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa Linnaeus, 1758).

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 (LC50) of Diuron on T. granosa was tested under a 72-h exposure. Diuron in water samples ranged from not detected (ND) to 3910 ppb, which was the highest concentration detected in samples after the irrigation water was discharged from the paddy plantation. Diuron was not detected in sediment samples. Mortality of T. granosa ranged from 4.74 to 38.33% with the highest percentages recorded after the release of the irrigation water. The LC50 value of Diuron was 1.84 ppm. This study suggests that irrigation water from paddy plantation that drifts to coastal areas containing Diuron harms T. granosa at the study area.

Effective removal of lead (II) ions by dead calcareous skeletons: sorption performance and influencing factors.

Dead calcareous skeletons (CSs) as low-cost adsorbents were studied to remove lead ions (Pb (II)) in an aqueous solution. Factors influencing the efficiency of CSs were evaluated by adsorbent size, contact time, initial concentration, dosage concentration and pH. The optimum CS size for removal of Pb (II) was 710 µm at an equilibrium time of 720 min. The best dosage of CS was 10 g/L for a 99% removal efficiency without pH adjustment. Pb (II) ions were effectively removed in the initial pH of the metal solution. CS was able to remove a high concentration (100 mg/L) of Pb (II) at a removal efficiency of 99.92% and at an adsorption capacity of 13.06 mg/g. Our results demonstrated the potential of CS as a metal adsorbent in the aqueous phase with a high-removal efficiency and distinct physical characteristics.

Solid-state fermentation of soybean residues for bioflocculant production in a pilot-scale bioreactor system.

An innovative approach using soybean residues for the production of bioflocculants through solid-state fermentation was carried out in 4.5 L near-to-adiabatic bioreactors at pilot-scale level. An added inoculum of the strain Bacillus subtilis UPMB13 was tested in comparison with control reactors without any inoculation after the thermophilic phase of the fermentation. The flocculating performances of the extracted bioflocculants were tested on kaolin suspensions, and crude bioflocculants were obtained from 20 g of fermented substrate through ethanol precipitation. The production of bioflocculants was observed to be higher during the death phase of microbial growth. The bioflocculants were observed to be granular in nature and consisted of hydroxyl, carboxyl and methoxyl groups that aid in their flocculating performance. The results show the vast potential of the idea of using wastes to produce bioactive materials that can replace the current dependence on chemicals, for future prospect in water treatment applications.

Cation dependence, pH tolerance, and dosage requirement of a bioflocculant produced by Bacillus spp. UPMB13: flocculation performance optimization through kaolin assays.

A bioflocculant-producing bacterial strain with highly mucoid and ropy colony morphological characteristics identified as Bacillus spp. UPMB13 was found to be a potential bioflocculant-producing bacterium. The effect of cation dependency, pH tolerance and dosage requirement on flocculating ability of the strain was determined by flocculation assay with kaolin as the suspended particle. The flocculating activity was measured as optical density and by flocs formation. A synergistic effect was observed with the addition of monovalent and divalent cations, namely, Na⁺, Ca²âº, and Mg²âº, while Fe²âº and Al³âº produced inhibiting effects on flocculating activity. Divalent cations were conclusively demonstrated as the best cation source to enhance flocculation. The bioflocculant works in a wide pH range, from 4.0 to 8.0 with significantly different performances (P < 0.05), respectively. It best performs at pH 5.0 and pH 6.0 with flocculating performance of above 90%. A much lower or higher pH would inhibit flocculation. Low dosage requirements were needed for both the cation and bioflocculant, with only an input of 50 mL/L for 0.1% (w/v) CaCl2 and 5 mL/L for culture broth, respectively. These results are comparable to other bioflocculants produced by various microorganisms with higher dosage requirements.