Introduction

With current heavy activities at sea, ports, coastal and inland environments, chemical pollution is unavoidable. Three main pollutants considered in the project are heavy metals, organic chemicals and nutrients. Since chemical pollution has been shown to affect marine related industries such as aquaculture and recreation, further studies on chemical pollution which could impose adverse effects on such industries are very important.

The coastal environment is known as breeding and nursery grounds for marine life including animals that depends on this marine life. Marine life has demonstrated that certain chemicals can change its behavior and affect its population even at a low concentration. In humans, there is no clear evidence of these effects but cases like Minamata and Itai-itai diseases cannot be allowed to repeat. In general, chemical pollution in the Straits of Malacca is very important to study and manage in order to maintain the quality of the environment and human health. To date, there is little information available on chemical pollution in the Straits of Malacca and its effects on the local species and environment. Many heavy metals studies that have been carried out, however, only a few studies have been conducted on their ecology and toxicological effects. Information on hydrocarbon and other organic pollutant is also lacking. Malaysia as an agricultural country, is using a lot of pesticides and fertilizers, and this may contribute to the excessive levels of nitrate and phosphate in the environment. Urban activities are also known to contribute to nitrate pollution in the atmospheric environment. This pollutant may be deposited in the marine environment. Nitrates have also been shown to affect health and environmental changes. In view of these potential threats of pollution and their effects, studies on chemical pollution and its toxicological effects to the environmental system are very important.

Objectives

Among the studies that are going to be conducted in the Strait of Malacca are

• To identify the location and the status of pollution of heavy metals, hydrocarbon and nutrients

• To identify bioindicators and molecular markers of pollutants ; and

• To identify their ecotoxicology in the coastal environment.

Activities

• Samples of sediment, water, organism and tarball and other chemical pollutants or related were collected from the Straits of Malacca offshore or coastal areas.

• Samples are analysed for chemical content such as oil, heavy metals and nutrients

Expected Output

• Information in the background level of chemical pollutant, status of chemical pollution, toxicity and source of pollutants can be established for future reference and management

• Guide line on chemical pollution for Government’s agents and public

Researcher