Contamination of diuron in coastal waters around Malaysian Peninsular

Hassan Rashid Ali; Marinah Mohd Arifin; Mohammed Ali Sheikh; Noor Azhar Mohamed Shazili; Said Suleiman Bakari; Zainudin Bachok

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.049

Contamination of diuron in coastal waters around Malaysian Peninsular

Mar Pollut Bull. 2014 Aug 15;85(1):287-91. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.049. Epub 2014 Jun 13.

Authors

Hassan Rashid Ali¹, Marinah Mohd Arifin², Mohammed Ali Sheikh³, Noor Azhar Mohamed Shazili⁴, Said Suleiman Bakari³, Zainudin Bachok⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Oceanography and Environment, University of Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia; Tropical Research Centre for Oceanography, Environment and Natural Resources, The State University of Zanzibar, P.O. Box 146, Zanzibar, Tanzania. Electronic address: hassanrashidali@yahoo.com.
² Environmental Research Group, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
³ Tropical Research Centre for Oceanography, Environment and Natural Resources, The State University of Zanzibar, P.O. Box 146, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
⁴ Institute of Oceanography and Environment, University of Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.

PMID: 24934440
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.05.049

Abstract

The use of antifouling paints to the boats and ships is one among the threats facing coastal resources including coral reefs in recent decades. This study reports the current contamination status of diuron and its behaviour in the coastal waters of Malaysia. The maximum concentration of diuron was 285 ng/L detected at Johor port. All samples from Redang and Bidong coral reef islands were contaminated with diuron. Temporal variation showed relatively high concentrations but no significant difference (P>0.05) during November and January (North-East monsoon) in Klang ports (North, South and West), while higher levels of diuron were detected during April, 2012 (Inter monsoon) in Kemaman, and Johor port. Although no site has shown concentration above maximum permissible concentration (430 ng/L) as restricted by the Dutch Authorities, however, long term exposure studies for environmental relevance levels of diuron around coastal areas should be given a priority in the future.

Keywords: Booster biocides; Coral reefs; Diuron; Malaysia; Marine resources; Ports.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Coral Reefs
Diuron / analysis*
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring / methods*
Geography
Malaysia
Paint
Seawater / chemistry
Ships
Triazines / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Triazines
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Diuron