A. Microbial, Fungi and Algae

Bioremediation is the use of living organisms to mitigate environmental pollution. Our research in bioremediation focuses on development of technology to use bacteria, fungi, algae and plants to mitigate environmental contamination. Systems under study include biosurfactant-producing bacteria, fungi, and various consortia of mixed components. We have recently developed a microbial mat composed of bacterial cells and cyanobacteria which can degrade various hydrocarbons including phenol and crude oil. Furthermore, studies focus on consortia of mixed bacteria and fungi to enhance degradation in soil system were currently undertaken. Consortium with ability to adsorp heavy metals and to reduce chromate (VI) and adsorb chromium (III) were successfully developed, suggesting possible applications and integration into existing wastewater treatment plant for remediation of heavy metals contamination.

Research is led by Prof Dr Datin Ainon Hamzah, Prof Dr Salmijah Surif and Prof. Madya Dr. Aidil Bin Abdul Hamid

Students: Siti Nursyazana Md Salleh, Noramiza Sabturani, Ummul Khair Mohd. Syahriansyah, Hana Najian Mokhtardin, Mohd Asraf Bin Ibrahim, Siti Suhaila Binti Harith

B. Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is the use of green plants for in situ risk reduction and/or removal of contaminants from contaminated soil, water and sediments. Risk reduction can be through a process of removal, degradation of, or containment of a contaminant or a combination of any of these factors. Investigations involving the synergistic effect of rhizobacteria and roots of plants and their respective roles in removing metals from soil were being undertaken.

Fundamental studies on the nature of the metal binding characteristics of the plants and soils have been carried out using a range of in-house techniques including environmental scanning microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and INAA

Research group members are: Prof Dr. Datin Ainon Hamzah, Prof Dr. Salmijah Surif, and Dr. Fatihah Suja’

Students: Nor Idaya Binti Yatim