This study investigates spatial water quality assessment of selected river basins in the three different states in Malaysia. Environmetric techniques namely, cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis (DA), were applied to study the spatial variations of the most significant water quality variables in order to determine the origin of pollution sources on water quality data of Juru River Basin, Kuantan River Basin and Johor River Basin. 13 water quality parameters were initially selected and analyzed. Three spatial clusters were formed based on CA, and these clusters were designated as high pollution source (HPS), medium pollution source (MPS), and low pollution source (LPS) at the three river basins, respectively. Forward and backward stepwise DA managed to discriminate water quality variables, respectively from the original 13 variables. The result of this spatial analysis assessment is supported by PCA (varimax functionality,) that was used to investigate the origin of each water quality variable due to land use activities. Thus, this analysis makes it possible to observe the significance of the pollutant sources which contribute to river pollution. Five principal components (PCs) were obtained for all HPS, MPS and LPS regions of all the three river basins, respectively. Pollution sources for the three river basins were mainly originated from industrial waste, municipal waste, domestics waste and also from agricultural runoffs. Finally, the environmetric techniques analysis manage to provide convincing result on the spatial variation of water quality in all the three studied river basins and this eventually will allow more effective and efficient river quality management activities.

Exposure to synthetic chemicals is a key environmental challenge faced by aquatic organisms. The time and dose effects of the pharmaceuticals diclofenac, ibuprofen, and sildenafil citrate on sperm motility and successful fertilisation are studied using the echinoderms, Asterias rubens and Psammechinus miliaris, and the polychaete worm Arenicola marina, all important components of the marine benthos. Motility was reduced for all species when exposed to diclofenac concentrations ≥0.1 μg/L. Exposure to ≥1.0 μg/L of ibuprofen affected only P. miliaris gametes and fertilisation success of A. marina. A. rubens and P. miliaris sperm increased in both percentage motility and swimming velocity when exposed to sildenafil citrate at concentrations ≥18 and ≥ 50 ng/L, respectively. Pre-incubation of sperm with sildenafil citrate significantly increased fertilisation success in A. rubens and P. miliaris but not in A. marina. Pre-incubated A. rubens oocytes fertilised successfully in ibuprofen. According to EU Directive 93/67/EEC, diclofenac is classified as a very toxic substance to gametes of A. rubens, P. miliaris, and A. marina (EC = 100-1000 μg/L) while ibuprofen is classified as very toxic to gametes of P. miliaris but non-toxic to gametes of A. marina (EC > 10,000 μg/L). The present study indicates that diclofenac exposure may have negative impacts on invertebrate reproductive success, whereas ibuprofen potentially may compromise P. miliaris reproduction. This study provides a valuable insight into the mechanisms that allow marine invertebrates to survive and reproduce in contaminated and changing habitats.

Solutions to complex and unprecedented global challenges are urgently needed. Overcoming these challenges requires input and innovative solutions from all experts, including Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). To achieve diverse inclusion from ECOPs, fundamental changes must occur at all levels—from individuals to organizations. Drawing on insights from across the globe, we propose 5 actionable pillars that support the engagement of ECOPs in co-design processes that address ocean sustainability: sharing knowledge through networks and mentorship, providing cross-boundary training and opportunities, incentivizing and celebrating knowledge co-design, creating inclusive and participatory governance structures, and catalyzing culture change for inclusivity. Foundational to all actions are the cross-cutting principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity. In addition, the pillars are cross-boundary in nature, including collaboration and innovation across sectors, disciplines, regions, generations, and backgrounds. Together, these recommendations provide an actionable and iterative path toward inclusive engagement and intergenerational exchange that can develop ocean solutions for a sustainable future.

Over the past decade, concerns over microplastic pollution in the marine ecosystem has increasingly gained more attention, but research investigating the ingestion of microplastics by marine fish in Malaysia is still regrettably lacking. This study investigated the microplastic presence, abundance, and morphological types within the guts of four species of commercial marine fish (Atule mate, Crenimugil seheli, Sardinella fimbriata and Rastrelliger brachysoma) caught in seawater off the coast of Malaysia’s Northwest Peninsular. A total of 72 individual commercial marine fish guts from four species (fish per species n = 18) were examined. Remarkably, this study found that 100% of the samples contained microplastics. A total number of 432 microplastics (size < 5 mm) from the four species were found in the excised marine fish guts. The most common type of microplastic discovered was fragment, which accounted for 49.5% of all microplastics present. The gut microplastic content differed between species. Sardinella fimbriata recorded the greatest amount of microplastic ingestion, with an average microplastic count of 6.5 (±4.3) items per individual fish. However, there were no statistically significant differences found when comparing study species and different locations. SEM-EDX analysis confirmed the presence of microplastic particles by identifying the chemical elements found in the samples. Since the four studied species of commercial marine fish are popular protein sources in Malaysians’ daily diet, this study suggests potential microplastic exposure to humans via contaminated fish consumption in Malaysia, which was previously unknown. Based on previous scientific evidence, this study also demonstrates the high probability of microplastic ingestion in marine fish in the Malaysian seawater, which could have an adverse effect on fish health as well as marine biota.

Teluk Bahang is a small fishing village located in the north-western of Penang Island, Malaysia. It has several attractions which include forest reserved park, ecotourism sites, theme parks and famous for its aquaculture activities. On 18th April 2019, fish farmers in Teluk Bahang experienced mass mortality of cultured fishes, namely groupers, barramundi, golden and red snappers due to a sudden change in water quality. Hence, this study was conducted to discuss marine pollution that occurred in Teluk Bahang that had caused the death of tonnes cultured fishes. Water samples were collected at the fish cage to investigate the water quality (physical and chemical parameters), heavy metals content, cell density and phytoplankton composition for determination of algal bloom that might be the cause of this crisis. Water samples were collected three times on 19th April 2019, 8th May 2019 and 26th May 2019. The results for physical and chemical parameters (pH, salinity, surface temperature, nitrate and phosphate) were all within the permissible limit according to Malaysia Marine Water Quality Class 2 (for aquaculture and recreation). Almost no harmful dinoflagellate species were detected in the water samples which indicated that phytoplankton did not cause a direct effect on the fish mortality. The concentration of heavy metals namely Cu, Cd, Ni, Fe, As and Hg in water samples were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results showed no detection of As and Hg concentration. The concentration of Cd, Cu and Fe in water ranged from 0.058-0.065ppm, 0.057-0.077ppm and Fe 0.326-0.389ppm respectively. These levels exceeded 20-100 times from the permissible limit. Ni concentration detected at 0.472-0.513ppm which was 990 times exceeded the permissible levels. These results indicated that metal pollution occurred in the marine water of Teluk Bahang and the possibility that the area may no longer be suitable for aquaculture or recreational purposes.