24th Regional Symposium of Malaysia Analytical Sciences (SKAM 24)

Attending SKAM24 Symposium in Hotel One Helang in Langkawi, Kedah.

Congratulation to Dr Fares As Shaebi - my PhD student

Congratulation to Dr Fares As Shaebi who has been awarded a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Geology during a Convocation Ceremony in UKM very recently. Dr Fares is my PhD student and he has successfully conducted a research with a topic "The Potential Use of Natural Geologic Materials for Remediation of Contaminated Sites". He also has published his results in Journals and local/international conferences. I wish him all the best .

Water Level Sensor for Putrajaya Wetland Monitoring Work

Perbadanan Putrajaya has successfully installed water level sensors at eleven (11) monitoring stations around Putrajaya Lake and Wetlands. The instrument can automatically measure water level every 10-minutes and the data can be retrieved from the data logger using a portable PC. Photos show the water level sensor instrument and a field demostration of using this equipment by Global Water to all people involved with the monitoring project namely Alam Bersih Sdn. Bhd, Engineers from Perbadanan Putrajaya and the consultants.

GERG Mini Geotechnical Centrifuge in UKM's Website

Site visit to Taman Beringin closed landfill in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur

Half-day site visit to Taman Beringin former landfill (which was already properly closed) was conducted with a team from IKRAM Bhd. The visit was part of the consultation work to identify the leachate outflow from this former landfill to surrounding water bodies adjacent to this area, namely Sungai Batu and several man-made ponds. The study will be conducted using a MODFLOW groundwater simulation software to look at this problem and to recommend the best remediation option available to hinder the flow of leachate into water bodies. Photos show the condition of the site during the site visit.

Nano Zero Valent Iron (NZVI) produced at the Geochemical Laboratory, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

A new advanced material for groundwater treatment was successfully developed at Geology Laboratory in UKM. This material was developed by my MSc student (Ms. Noraznida Kamaruzaman) using chemical reducing method in the laboratory. This research was funded by FRGS Research Grant from MOSTI. Below are some photos of the NZVI. Further research is still in progress to characterize the material and to determine its adsorption capacity.

A black powder of NZVI that was produced in the laboratory


SEM image of NZVI (scale 1um)
Another image of NZVI (100nm scale)

Geo-Sekitaran by Dr-1

Geo-Sekitaran by Dr-1

WEB 2.0 Training 27-29 July 2011

A visit from UTM group researcher to the Geotechnical Centrifuge Laboratory at UKM

A research team from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have visited the Geotechnical Centrifuge facility in UKM. The group was headed by Assoc. Prof Dr Ir. Ramli Nazir and Assoc. Prof. Dr Nurly Gofar. Other persons in the group were Zulkifle, Mr Ali and Dr Amin. The main objective of the visit was to discuss about potential collaboration in research especially with related to geotechnical centrifuge. The outcome of the meeting was very successfully for the enhancement of geotechnical centrifuge research in Malaysia, where Dr Ramli is one of the pioneer in this field in Malaysia. Assoc. Prof. Dr Ramli is asking some questions related to the centrifuge.
Explaining to the visitors about the geotechnical centrifuge facility at UKM
Group photo with UTM researchers. Standing from left to right: (UKM) Mr. Zaki, Mr. Rosli, Dr Wan Zuhairi, (UTM) Dr Ramli, Dr Nurly, Mr. Zul, Mr Amin and Mr Ali.

A potential use of limestone and zeolite to neutralize acid mine drainage in Sg. lembing Pahang

This is a simple experiment that was conducted by my 3rd Year Geology Student (Aida Rahayu). Two tanks were used to neutralize low pH acid mine water collected at Sg Lembing ex-Tin mine in Pahang. Zeolit was purchased from Indonesia while limestone was collected at Bukit Panching Quarry in Kuantan Pahang. Results were excellent and will be published soon.

Physical Modeling of Contaminant Transport through Porous Medium

An experimental work to investigate the migration of contaminant through porous medium has recently been set-up at the Geology Programme Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. This research is conducted by my research student aka graduate research officer, Ms. Nur Atiqah Anuar. This research is fully sponsored by FRGS Research Grant.

Groundwater modeling and contaminant transport

Scenario 1: BTEX migration after 100 days
Scenario 2: BTEX migration after 1000 days
Scenario 3: BTEX transport after 7300 days

MODFLOW Computer Modeling

Figure 1. Particle tracking of contaminants
Figure 2. Transport of Chloride after 1000 days

This is a simple case scenario of groundwater flow and transport from a newly planned landfill. This is ONLY a simple 1 layer model that simulate the movement of Chloride (5000 mg/L) after 1000 days (3 years).

Selinsing Gold Mine

The Selinsing Gold Mine Project is located at Bukit Selinsing near Sungai Koyan, approximately 65 km north of Raub and 30km west of Kuala Lipis on the lineament known as the Raub Bentong Suture. Selinsing is located approximately 2 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur the capital of Malaysia on a sealed highway in Pahang State, which is the largest gold producing state in Malaysia. Some photos captured at the main entrance to the mine while passing thorough on the way to Cameron Highland with my MSc students.

Working Hard

My office at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

My New Honda Freed

First long distance testing of my Freed. Photo captured in Bentong Mosque

Look how small is the car from the outside....but it has a bigger and comfortable cabin space inside (see photos below)

The inside view of Honda Freed. Very compact MPV with 7 seater and automatic sliding door on both sides. Very economical in fuel consumption. Small and compact car for a small guy with a big heart!

Prof Otto from Germany visiting Geotechnical Centrifuge facility at UKM

Geotechnical Centrifuge at UKM

Professor Frank Otto from Germany visited our centrifuge Lab. From right to left: Mr Jailani Miskam, Mr Muchlis (my PhD student), Prof Ghani Rafek, Prof Otto's PhD student, Prof Otto and Wan Zuhairi

International Conference on Southeast Asian Natural Resources and Environmental Management (SANREM)

Opening ceremony of SANREM

Ready to be served. Sitting next to me is Mr Rodiano (UMS lecturer) and Prof Dr Ismail Sahid (from PPS, UKM)

Supervising my PhD Student in Ranau, Sabah

The Peak of Kinabalu Mountain. Photo was captured while we were travelling to Ranau Sabah

Picure of Me and my PhD student Ms. Masha Tashakor from Iran (standing no 3 from left).

Sediment Monitoring of Putrajaya Lake 2011

Two sediment-monitoring exercises (water and sediment sampling & discharge measurements) were carried out during the months of January-February 2011 within the Putrajaya Lake & Wetlands complex. The sampling exercises were carried out on the 13 and 27 January 2011 and 16 February 2011 during moderately dry conditions. The sampling stations contain weir structures and culverts. 29 of these monitoring stations are located within the wetland arms and 10 are located around Putrajaya Lake.

Groundwater Modeling of Proposed Sungai Udang Landfill Melaka 2011

Serious discussion with my PhD students

A serious discussion with my two PhD students, Mr Fares Yahya from Saudi Arabia and Muchlis from Indonesia. The discussion was about their slide presentations for the National Geological Conference.