Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015
Dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one o... more Dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most persistent toxic chemical substances in the environment, and they are associated with several occupational activities and industrial accidents around the world. Since the end of the 1970s, these toxic chemicals have been banned because of their human toxicity potential, long half-life, wide dispersion, and they bioaccumulate in the food web. This review serves as a primer for environmental health professionals to provide guidance on short-term risk assessment of dioxin and to identify key findings for health and exposure assessment based on policies of different agencies. It also presents possible health effects of dioxins, mechanisms of action, toxic equivalency factors (TEFs), and dose-response characterization. Key studies related to toxicity values of dioxin-like compounds and their possible human health risk were identified through PubMed and supplemented with relevant studies characterized by reviewing the reference lists in the review articles and primary literature. Existing data decreases the scope of analyses and models in relevant studies to a manageable size by focusing on the set of important studies related to the perspective of developing toxicity values of DLCs.
The distribution and sources of PAHs in sediments as well as TPH were investigated in the Northwe... more The distribution and sources of PAHs in sediments as well as TPH were investigated in the Northwest of the Persian Gulf. Also, some biological analysis was performed in the study area. Moreover, the effluent outlets of Bandar-e-Imam Khomeini Petrochemical Company were monitored during the study.This research reached a conclusion that, in addition to petrogenic input as a major source, pyrolytic inputs are also a source for PAHs. The levels of TPH concentration in the studied area were relatively moderate. Moreover, the AMBI results showed that, this area can be classified as slightly polluted and the results of effluent outlets demonstrated that, although the concentration level of TPH was greater than the guideline value, the PAHs concentrations did not exceed the guideline values. Index Terms—PAHs, TPH, AMBI, Northwest of the Persian Gulf.
Since 1957, 14 specimens of the Malaysian water shrew Chimarrogale hantu (nine males and fi ve fem... more Since 1957, 14 specimens of the Malaysian water shrew Chimarrogale hantu (nine males and fi ve females) have been obtained from various forest reserves in the western, eastern, central and northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Their habitats ranged from lowland and hill forest to montane forest. Though widely distributed, the species is nowhere common. Identifi able stomach contents included a partly decomposed larval caecilian, scales and shells probably representing aquatic crustaceans and molluscs, and abundant insect fragments. Endoparasites identifi ed from the gut included trematodes and cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans, while ectoparasites comprised terrestrial ticks and trombiculid mites. The fi nding of two gravid female shrews, and a captive animal that survived for three weeks in captivity, are signifi cant records.
An inventory of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna diversity was carried out at Melawi Beach, Ba... more An inventory of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna diversity was carried out at Melawi Beach, Bachok, Kelantan in April and May 2009. Two techniques, namely pitfall traps and manual hand collections were employed. A total of 28 species from 21 genera were recorded from an area in this coconut plantation. They belong to 6 subfamilies, comprising of Myrmicinae (9 species), Formicinae (13 species), Ponerinae (2 species), Dolichoderinae (2 species), Pseudomyrmecinae (1 species) and Aenictinae (1 species). The most common ants were the Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) and the Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes). They are tramps and are capable of invading and taking over local ants’ niches.
Sediment samples were collected from the coastal area of the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone ... more Sediment samples were collected from the coastal area of the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone of Musa Bay. The samples were analyzed to determine the degree of hydrocarbon contamina-tion and identify the sources of PAHs which were evaluated by employing the ratios of specific PAHs compounds and principal component analysis (PCA). The levels of TPH concentration in the studied area were relatively moderate compared to the world-wide chronically oil-contaminated loca-tions. The concentration of total PAHs was lower than those in other parts of the Musa Bay but ap-proached the NOAA sediment quality guideline value.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015
Current ecological risk assessment (ERA) schemes focus mainly on bioaccumulation and toxicity of ... more Current ecological risk assessment (ERA) schemes focus mainly on bioaccumulation and toxicity of pollutants in individual organisms. Ecological models are tools mainly used to assess ecological risks of pollutants to ecosystems, communities, and populations. Their main advantage is the relatively direct integration of the species sensitivity to organic pollutants, the fate and mechanism of action in the environment of toxicants, and life-history features of the individual organism of concern. To promote scientific consensus on ERA schemes, this review is intended to provide a guideline on short-term ERA involving dioxin chemicals and to identify key findings for exposure assessment based on policies of different agencies. It also presents possible adverse effects of dioxins on ecosystems, toxicity equivalence methodology, environmental fate and transport modeling, and development of stressor-response profiles for dioxin-like chemicals.
This study reported the ant species that were recovered from monkey carcasses in three different ... more This study reported the ant species that were recovered from monkey carcasses in three different ecological habitats in Malaysia. The study was conducted from 9 May - 10 October 2007, 6 May - 6 August 2008 and 26 May - 14 July 2009 in forested area (Gombak, Selangor), coastal area (Tanjong Sepat, Selangor) and highland area (Bukit Cincin, Pahang), respectively. Monkey carcass was used as a model for human decomposition in this study. A total of 4 replicates were used in each of the study sites. Ants were observed to prey on eggs, larvae, pupae and newly emerged flies. This study found that ant species could be found at all stages of decomposition, indicating that ants were not a significant indicator for faunal succession. However, different species of ants were obtained from monkey carcasses placed in different ecological habitats. Cardiocondyla sp. was only found on carcasses placed in the coastal area; while Pheidole longipes, Hypoponera sp. and Pachycondyla sp. were solely found...
Simulium (Comphostilbia) izuae sp. nov. is described from female, male, pupal, and larval specime... more Simulium (Comphostilbia) izuae sp. nov. is described from female, male, pupal, and larval specimens collected from Cameron's Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia. This new species is placed in the asakoae species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia. The pupa of this new species is characterized by the gill with eight long filaments arranged as (3 + 3) + 2 filaments, of which the ventral pair of filaments is borne on a stalk that is always shorter than the common basal stalk. Taxonomic notes to distinguish this new species from five other Malaysian species and 12 other species of the asakoae species-group from other countries are given. Keys to identify all 18 species of the asakoae species-group are also provided for females, males, pupae, and mature larvae.
The plant genus Macaranga is known for its manifold mutualistic associations with ants. The plant... more The plant genus Macaranga is known for its manifold mutualistic associations with ants. The plants provide food for the ants and in turn get protection from herbivores. Depending on the strength of the plant-ant interaction, the plant's investment in ants and the biotic defense derived from them is more or less effective. We conducted a comparative study on tannin content in 12 Macaranga species that were selected based on their associations with ants (three nonmyrmecophytes and nine myrmecophytes, three of which start their ontogeny as nonmyrmecophytes). Different developmental stages were investigated in three Macaranga species. Extracts of every individual plant analyzed for tannins were also tested for their effects on larval growth employing larvae of the common cutworm (Spodoptera littoralis). The studied Macaranga species differed significantly in their tannin contents as well as in the effects of their leaf extracts on the growth of S. littoralis larvae. A correlation an...
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015
Dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one o... more Dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) have been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the most persistent toxic chemical substances in the environment, and they are associated with several occupational activities and industrial accidents around the world. Since the end of the 1970s, these toxic chemicals have been banned because of their human toxicity potential, long half-life, wide dispersion, and they bioaccumulate in the food web. This review serves as a primer for environmental health professionals to provide guidance on short-term risk assessment of dioxin and to identify key findings for health and exposure assessment based on policies of different agencies. It also presents possible health effects of dioxins, mechanisms of action, toxic equivalency factors (TEFs), and dose-response characterization. Key studies related to toxicity values of dioxin-like compounds and their possible human health risk were identified through PubMed and supplemented with relevant studies characterized by reviewing the reference lists in the review articles and primary literature. Existing data decreases the scope of analyses and models in relevant studies to a manageable size by focusing on the set of important studies related to the perspective of developing toxicity values of DLCs.
The distribution and sources of PAHs in sediments as well as TPH were investigated in the Northwe... more The distribution and sources of PAHs in sediments as well as TPH were investigated in the Northwest of the Persian Gulf. Also, some biological analysis was performed in the study area. Moreover, the effluent outlets of Bandar-e-Imam Khomeini Petrochemical Company were monitored during the study.This research reached a conclusion that, in addition to petrogenic input as a major source, pyrolytic inputs are also a source for PAHs. The levels of TPH concentration in the studied area were relatively moderate. Moreover, the AMBI results showed that, this area can be classified as slightly polluted and the results of effluent outlets demonstrated that, although the concentration level of TPH was greater than the guideline value, the PAHs concentrations did not exceed the guideline values. Index Terms—PAHs, TPH, AMBI, Northwest of the Persian Gulf.
Since 1957, 14 specimens of the Malaysian water shrew Chimarrogale hantu (nine males and fi ve fem... more Since 1957, 14 specimens of the Malaysian water shrew Chimarrogale hantu (nine males and fi ve females) have been obtained from various forest reserves in the western, eastern, central and northern parts of Peninsular Malaysia. Their habitats ranged from lowland and hill forest to montane forest. Though widely distributed, the species is nowhere common. Identifi able stomach contents included a partly decomposed larval caecilian, scales and shells probably representing aquatic crustaceans and molluscs, and abundant insect fragments. Endoparasites identifi ed from the gut included trematodes and cestodes, nematodes and acanthocephalans, while ectoparasites comprised terrestrial ticks and trombiculid mites. The fi nding of two gravid female shrews, and a captive animal that survived for three weeks in captivity, are signifi cant records.
An inventory of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna diversity was carried out at Melawi Beach, Ba... more An inventory of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna diversity was carried out at Melawi Beach, Bachok, Kelantan in April and May 2009. Two techniques, namely pitfall traps and manual hand collections were employed. A total of 28 species from 21 genera were recorded from an area in this coconut plantation. They belong to 6 subfamilies, comprising of Myrmicinae (9 species), Formicinae (13 species), Ponerinae (2 species), Dolichoderinae (2 species), Pseudomyrmecinae (1 species) and Aenictinae (1 species). The most common ants were the Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina) and the Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes). They are tramps and are capable of invading and taking over local ants’ niches.
Sediment samples were collected from the coastal area of the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone ... more Sediment samples were collected from the coastal area of the Petrochemical Special Economic Zone of Musa Bay. The samples were analyzed to determine the degree of hydrocarbon contamina-tion and identify the sources of PAHs which were evaluated by employing the ratios of specific PAHs compounds and principal component analysis (PCA). The levels of TPH concentration in the studied area were relatively moderate compared to the world-wide chronically oil-contaminated loca-tions. The concentration of total PAHs was lower than those in other parts of the Musa Bay but ap-proached the NOAA sediment quality guideline value.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2015
Current ecological risk assessment (ERA) schemes focus mainly on bioaccumulation and toxicity of ... more Current ecological risk assessment (ERA) schemes focus mainly on bioaccumulation and toxicity of pollutants in individual organisms. Ecological models are tools mainly used to assess ecological risks of pollutants to ecosystems, communities, and populations. Their main advantage is the relatively direct integration of the species sensitivity to organic pollutants, the fate and mechanism of action in the environment of toxicants, and life-history features of the individual organism of concern. To promote scientific consensus on ERA schemes, this review is intended to provide a guideline on short-term ERA involving dioxin chemicals and to identify key findings for exposure assessment based on policies of different agencies. It also presents possible adverse effects of dioxins on ecosystems, toxicity equivalence methodology, environmental fate and transport modeling, and development of stressor-response profiles for dioxin-like chemicals.
This study reported the ant species that were recovered from monkey carcasses in three different ... more This study reported the ant species that were recovered from monkey carcasses in three different ecological habitats in Malaysia. The study was conducted from 9 May - 10 October 2007, 6 May - 6 August 2008 and 26 May - 14 July 2009 in forested area (Gombak, Selangor), coastal area (Tanjong Sepat, Selangor) and highland area (Bukit Cincin, Pahang), respectively. Monkey carcass was used as a model for human decomposition in this study. A total of 4 replicates were used in each of the study sites. Ants were observed to prey on eggs, larvae, pupae and newly emerged flies. This study found that ant species could be found at all stages of decomposition, indicating that ants were not a significant indicator for faunal succession. However, different species of ants were obtained from monkey carcasses placed in different ecological habitats. Cardiocondyla sp. was only found on carcasses placed in the coastal area; while Pheidole longipes, Hypoponera sp. and Pachycondyla sp. were solely found...
Simulium (Comphostilbia) izuae sp. nov. is described from female, male, pupal, and larval specime... more Simulium (Comphostilbia) izuae sp. nov. is described from female, male, pupal, and larval specimens collected from Cameron's Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia. This new species is placed in the asakoae species-group of the subgenus Gomphostilbia. The pupa of this new species is characterized by the gill with eight long filaments arranged as (3 + 3) + 2 filaments, of which the ventral pair of filaments is borne on a stalk that is always shorter than the common basal stalk. Taxonomic notes to distinguish this new species from five other Malaysian species and 12 other species of the asakoae species-group from other countries are given. Keys to identify all 18 species of the asakoae species-group are also provided for females, males, pupae, and mature larvae.
The plant genus Macaranga is known for its manifold mutualistic associations with ants. The plant... more The plant genus Macaranga is known for its manifold mutualistic associations with ants. The plants provide food for the ants and in turn get protection from herbivores. Depending on the strength of the plant-ant interaction, the plant's investment in ants and the biotic defense derived from them is more or less effective. We conducted a comparative study on tannin content in 12 Macaranga species that were selected based on their associations with ants (three nonmyrmecophytes and nine myrmecophytes, three of which start their ontogeny as nonmyrmecophytes). Different developmental stages were investigated in three Macaranga species. Extracts of every individual plant analyzed for tannins were also tested for their effects on larval growth employing larvae of the common cutworm (Spodoptera littoralis). The studied Macaranga species differed significantly in their tannin contents as well as in the effects of their leaf extracts on the growth of S. littoralis larvae. A correlation an...
Uploads
Papers