A Visitor from Hong Kong University

Dr Zulfahmi and I had a visitor from Hong Kong University, Prof Dr Sergio Leurenco.  He visited several laboratories during the visit such as our new centrifuge facility and  Geoenvironmental Research Laboratory, located at Geology Building of UKM.  Soon after the visit, we took Prof Sergio for lunch at Arabic Restoran.   

Picture with Prof Sergio Leurenco during his visit to Centrifuge Lab

Lunch together with Dr Zulfahmi and Prof Sergio at Arabic Restoran in Bandar Baru Bangi

Congratulations my research students

Congratulations to my research students who have successfully defended their thesis.  May the knowledge gained under my supervision and guidance during your research period will be beneficial to all of you.

Mrs Nur Athirah Md Basir (Standing far left)

Title of research: The use of geosorbents to treat acid mine drainage (MSc)

Mrs Nur Aisyah Zarime (standing next to me)

Title of research: The use of small centrifuge to investigate the migration of heavy metals (MSc)

Mrs Zainab Asry (right of photo)

Title of research: Groundwater modeling of Sg Udang aquifer using Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) Software (PhD)

EIA Consultant for the Proposed Development of Lido Waterfront Boulevard

I have been appointed by UKM Pakarunding as an EIA consultant for the proposed development of Lido Waterfront in Johor.  The subject matter that was given to me was geology.  This project involves the reclamation of some part of Johor Straights using sand material that will be brought in from Pengerang area (located on the South East tip of Malaysia).  A fieldwork was completed, conducted for three days to do a geological study and to grab some sediment samples from the Johor Straights using grab sampler apparatus.

My research officer investing the geology of a cut slope near the proposed project site

Close up view of the geology comprising of an old alluvium.  Coarse grain quartz can be seen very clearly on the surface of the outcrop

Sediment grab sampler was used to grab sediment samples from the bed bottom of the straight.  

Two of my research assistants pulling the heavy cable attached to the grab sampler apparatus.  

Scoping and sampling for the dredged sample.  It is a black clay, and has a strong odour (rich in organic matter).  

Photo taken on the boat after the completion of sampling.  Everyone was happy!

Transfer of Technology at USM Penang

Topic : Enzymatic Bioremediation of Used Transformer Oil by Effective Microbe

Place: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang

Photo captured with Prof Amirul of USM and Prof Abdul Rahim Samsudin (UKM) before the workshop

Hands on experience - bacteria culture in petri dish 

Certificate for participating the workshop is provided by USM  

Groundwater Modeling Using Visual MODFLOW Flex

Successfully followed a paid WEBINAR with a title "An Introduction to Groundwater Modeling Using Visual MODFLOW Flex". Attached below is the training certificate for the course issued by Waterloo Hydrogeologic.  Visual Modflow Flex is a latest software that was created to replace an old version of Visual Modflow PRO, which I am using at the moment.  In comparison, Modflow Flex is a bit complex and difficult to operate compared to the older version of Visual Modflow.  

Certificate for completing a Training Course Online

MODFLOW FLEX - Visual MODFLOW Flex is more than just a graphical user interface for MODFLOW groundwater simulations. Visual MODFLOW Flex brings together industry-standard codes for groundwater flow and contaminant transport, essential analysis and calibration tools, and stunning 3D visualization capabilities in a single, easy-to-use software environment.

Adsorption of Acid Blue 25 From Solution Using Zeolite And Surfactant Modified Zeolite

Congratulations to Mr Mohd Alamgir Kabir who has completed his MSc research in my laboratory at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.  Mr Kabir is a Bangladesh Geology officer who was sent to Malaysia for higher education.  He was supervised by me and Dr Krishna.  

Photo of Mr Alamgir Kabir in the Laboratory

Abstract: Natural zeolite has net negative charge on their surface. This net negative charge is the prime factor that restricts the use of zeolite for the adsorption of cationic dyes. So, zeolite was modified with cationic surfactant to increase its anionic adsorption capacity. Natural zeolite used in the present work was obtained from Indonesia. In the present study natural zeolite has been modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to increase the positive charge on the zeolite simultaneously to remove anionic dye Acid blue 25(AB25) from waste water. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetic studies of anionic dyes were carried out .The adsorption of reactive dyes on zeolite and modified zeolite (zeolite-CTAB) was investigated by batch adsorption experiments. The effects of adsorbent dosage, pH, temperature, time and the initial dyes concentrations were investigated.The modification effect on the surface of zeolite was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). All the methods support the modification of zeolite by CTAB was done. The maximum removal of dye was obtained under acidic conditions; in particular at pH 2.The percentage removal of dye initially increases with increase in dye concentration and with time. After that the dye removal percentage decreases. The kinetic experimental results imply that the adsorption of AB25 onto these adsorbents nicely followed the second order kinetic model. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. From the concentration effect it is indicated that due to modification of zeolite with CTAB the adsorption capacity of zeolite for AB25 increases 36.84%.  The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 43.48 mg/g for zeolite at 30⁰C (303⁰ K) and 71.43 mg/g for zeolite-CTAB at 40⁰C (313⁰ K). However, it follows an increase and decrease trend with increase in temperature. The adsorption of AB25 onto zeolite-CTAB better fitted using Langmuir model and onto zeolite better fitted with the Freundlich model. A decrease in AB25 adsorption on zeolite-CTAB has been observed with an increase in temperature. This decrease in AB25 adsorption on zeolite-CTAB indicates that the preferential adsorption may occur at low temperature. The negative value of enthalpy indicating the process was exothermic and the presence of possible physisorption phenomenon. The negative values of entropy both for zeolite and zeolite-CTAB indicate the decrease in randomness at the adsorbent and solution interface. The results of the present study substantiate that zeolite modified by CTAB material are promising adsorbents for the removal of the dye AB25.

Zeolite and zeolite-CTAB were produced in the laboratory during Mr Kabir's research

Adsorption test of Zeolite and zeolite-CTAB on Acid Blue 25