Methodology

PROCEDURES

AIR MONITORING

The purpose of air assessment is to study and determine the effects of different brands of cars with different types of engines used according to its own brand. With the same usage of petrol (RON 95) for each one of the cars. Plus, the emission value of Sulphur Oxide (SOx), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) will be taken as the values are then compared and observed. Types of cars that will contribute in this assessment are Perodua Axia, Proton Satria Neo, Honda City, Perodua Kancil, Honda Jazz & Ford Mondeo. 

WATER MONITORING

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)

Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) is the sum of organic nitrogen, ammonia (NH3), and ammonium (NH4+) in the chemical analysis of soil, water and wastewater. To calculate Total Nitrogen (TN), the concentrations of nitrate-N and nitrite-N are determined and added to the total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Today, total Kjeldahl nitrogen is a required parameter for regulatory reporting at many treatment plants. This analysis is conducted with using six test tubes which are named Blank 1, Blank 2, Sample 1(1), Sample 2(1), Sample 1(2) and Sample 2(2). The analysis is start with pours 100mL of two different polluted solutions with 15mL of 96% of concentrated H₂SO₄ into four test tubes which are named Sample 1(1), Sample 2(1), Sample 1(2) and Sample 2(2). For the Blank 1 and Blank 2, these test tubes are poured with 100mL distilled water with 15mL of 96% of concentrated H₂SO₄. Then, all the six test tubes are added with one tablet of kjeldahl and then this analysis start to run with heating and digestion for two hours 10 minutes. After that, all these six test tubes are cooled for one hour. Next, all these six test tubes need to undergo distillation and titration for 30 minutes and one minute respectively. 

pH

pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration; a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Aqueous solutions at 25°C with a pH less than seven are acidic, while those with a pH greater than seven are basic or alkaline. A pH level of is 7.0 at 25°C is defined as 'neutral' because the concentration of H3O+ equals the concentration of OH− in pure water. The pH analysis is start with preparation of five sample of solution. The six sample of solution are DO, Blank, Dilution of 25mL polluted sample, Dilution of 50mL polluted sample and Dilution of 100mL polluted sample.

Colour

Colour in water is most often due to dissolved organic matter. It too makes the water unpleasant to drink, often contributes tastes and odours, and causes staining of surfaces and materials touched by the water. Surface water usually has some colour, but in contrast to turbidity, colour is sometimes found in well waters. This usually occurs in areas where swamps or bogs are common, and the water picks up coloured substances extracted from the decaying organic matter. Organic matter in water may not only contribute turbidity or colour, but may also produce unpleasant tastes or odours.

Turbidity

Turbidity is an optical determination of water clarity. Turbid water will appear cloudy, murky, or otherwise coloured, affecting the physical look of the water. Suspended solids and dissolved coloured material reduce water clarity by creating an opaque, hazy or muddy appearance. Turbidity measurements are often used as an indicator of water quality based on clarity and estimated total suspended solids in water. The turbidity of water is based on the amount of light scattered by particles in the water column. The more particles that are present, the more light that will be scattered.

Total Suspended Solid (TSS)

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is solids in water that can be trapped by a filter. TSS can include a wide variety of material, such as silt, decaying plant and animal matter, industrial wastes, and sewage. High concentrations of suspended solids can cause many problems for stream health and aquatic life. High TSS can block light from reaching submerged vegetation. As the amount of light passing through the water is reduced, photosynthesis slows down. Reduced rates of photosynthesis causes less dissolved oxygen to be released into the water by plants. If light is completely blocked from bottom dwelling plants, the plants will stop producing oxygen and will die. The analysis starts with inserting microfiber filter paper (glass fibre) and put it on the evaporation dish. Secondly, it will be undergoes heating between range 103˚C- 105˚C in about 20 minutes. Thirdly, it will be undergoes cooling in the desiccator in about 15 minutes. Fourthly, weigh the porcelain and assemble filtration apparatus. Fifthly, measure the sample between 25mL-50mL and pour it in the crucible and start the pump. The filtration process occurs until the entire sample dissolved in the filter paper. Then, heat the porcelain with residue in oven in about 20 minutes and cools it in about 15 minutes. Lastly, weigh the porcelain with residue which are final product.

Total Dissolved Solid (TDS)

Total dissolved solid (TDS) is a measure of the combined total of organic and inorganic substances contained in a liquid. This includes anything present in water other than the pure H20 molecules. These solids are primarily minerals, salts and organic matter that can be a general indicator of water quality. High TDS generally indicate hard water, which can cause scale build up in pipes and appliances. Scale build up reduces performance and adds system maintenance costs. This analysis is consequence from the total suspended solid which is the product of total suspended solid is used as a sample. Firstly, heat the dish in the oven in 20 minutes. Secondly, cool the dish in the crucible in 15 minutes. Thirdly, weigh the dish with the electronic beam balance.

Conductivity

Conductivity is a measure of water’s capability to pass electrical flow. This ability is directly related to the concentration of ions in the water. These conductive ions come from dissolved salts and inorganic materials such as alkalis, chlorides, sulphides and carbonate compounds. Compounds that dissolve into ions are also known as electrolytes. The more ions that are present, the higher the conductivity of water. Likewise, the fewer ions that are in the water, the less conductive it is. Distilled or deionized water can act as an insulator due to its very low (if not negligible) conductivity value. Sea water, on the other hand, has a very high conductivity. The experiment starts with preparing about 50mL of polluted sample in the beaker. Then, dip the conductivity meter in the polluted sample and wait until the reading of conductivity constant.

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Biological oxygen demand is a measure of the quantity of oxygen used by microorganisms in the oxidation of organic matter. Natural sources of organic matter include plant decay and leaf fall. However, plant growth and decay may be unnaturally accelerated when nutrients and sunlight are overly abundant due to human influence. Urban runoff carries pet wastes from streets and sidewalks; nutrients from lawn fertilizers; leaves, grass clippings, and paper from residential areas, which increase oxygen demand. Oxygen consumed in the decomposition process robs other aquatic organisms of the oxygen they need to live. This experiment is conducted in five days which are D₁ and D_5. This experiment starts with fill the amber bottle with the polluted sample one hour before analysis start and keep the amber bottle with polluted sample in the refrigerator under 4˚C. Prepare five samples in the BOD bottle. The five samples are the pure polluted water, the blank water which is deionised water, 25mL of polluted water, 50mL of polluted water and 100mL of polluted water. For dilution method, dilute the 25mL of polluted water, 50mL of polluted water and 100mL of polluted sample with distilled water. Check the DO of each of the BOD bottles with DO meter with stirring probe. Record the reading of DO meter after the star sign appears at the screen. Close the BOD bottle with covered it and fill it with distilled water until it spill out. Seals all the five bottles with parafilm and stored it in the incubator. After five days, check the DO of each of the BOD bottles with DO meter with stirring probe. Record the reading of DO meter.

NOISE MONITORING

The purpose of air assessment is to determine and measure the noise level whether it is exceeded the limitation that could cause a noise pollution the community. The longer the noise pollution occurred, the worser it will affect to the environment. For noise monitoring, the instrument that will be used for this assessment is sound level meter (slm). The slm consists of a microphone, electronic circuits and a readout display. The microphone detects the small air pressure variations associated with sound and changes them into electrical signals. These signals are then processed by the electronic circuitry of the instrument. The readout displays the sound level in decibels (db). The slm takes the sound pressure level at one instant in a particular location. The slm will be put 1 metre away from the source and measure the noise which located at roundabout alor gajah center. The measurement will be taken at 4 pm until 5 pm. It is the peak time where the traffic is busy. The instrument/receiver will measure the noise from the source which includes; the road traffic, surroundings, buildings, pedestrians and others. The distance between the source and receiver as well as the height of the receiver and source will be recorded for measurement purposes.