https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/388941 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:16:39 GMT 2026-08-07T13:16:39Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784323 Title: Assessment of groundwater quality in Northern West Bank, Palestine: source of pollution, health risk, and management Authors: Zohud, Ashraf M M (P110470) Abstract: Access to clean and safe water is extremely important, not only in Palestine, but also worldwide. In the West Bank, Palestine, groundwater extracted from wells and springs serves as the primary source of drinking water. However, this vital resource is increasingly under pressure due to growing water demand driven by rapid population growth, coupled with limited control over water resources. This study aimed to assess the quality of groundwater in terms of physico-chemical and microbiological properties, as well as heavy metal concentrations, to identify health risks and groundwater management, and to propose recommendations for groundwater management in the West Bank, Palestine. In this study, a total of 63 samples were collected from 49 wells and 14 springs extended across the Northern West Bank, Palestine. Parameters from samples collected for lab analysis include (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO₃), Fluoride (F), sulfate (SO₄), total hardness (TH), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), barium (Ba), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), total alkalinity (TA), bicarbonate (HCO₃), Fecal Coliform (FC), Total Coliform (TC)). Statistical analysis and a GIS were used to analyze the results of the lab examinations for the collected groundwater samples to facilitate the assessment of the sources of pollution and the impact of these pollutants on human health. The conformity of these parameters with local and international standards is essential to verifying drinking water quality. Groundwater quality is widely affected by human activities, including agricultural and industrial activities, the presence of cesspits in rural areas, and untreated wastewater from both Palestinian main cities and Israeli settlements. Based on the results, 38.8% of nitrate and 10% of potassium concentrations in groundwater samples exceed the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Palestinian Standards Institution (PSI), therefore, health problems arise as a limiting factor for life quality and welfare in this region. Moreover, 87.7% of samples are classified as very hard water. Furthermore, fecal coliform levels are higher in springs than in wells, increasing the need for continuous chlorination, especially in contaminated sources. In the classification of groundwater wells and springs based on the Piper diagram, 65% of the groundwater wells were normal earth alkaline water with prevailing bicarbonate (Ca-Mg-HCO3). WQI values indicated that the majority of the analysed samples were of good quality, with only one spring showing poor quality. Likewise, the ranges of total hazard index (THI) in all sampling locations varied considerably and extended from 0.093 to 3.010 for adults, 0.290 to 3.080 for children, and 0.302 to 3.210 for infants. These results widely indicate that infants are more exposed to health risks. Moreover, 63 water experts shared their views on the challenges facing the water sector through a questionnaire developed for this study. They emphasized the importance of effective water management in ensuring the sustainability of water resources and its role in addressing water shortages, pollution, and climate change. Based on the above, it is recommended to implement smart technologies for water quality monitoring, restrict agricultural and industrial discharges, phase out cesspits, improve wastewater treatment, and strengthen stakeholder collaboration. Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784323 2025-07-24T00:00:00Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784322 Title: Integrating personalised context aware systems with farming practices towards sustainable development for rural agriculture in Shaanxi Province, China Authors: Liu, Yu (P121694) Abstract: This study investigates how personalized context-aware systems can be integrated into farming practices underpinned by ubiquitous computing devices and adaptive learning models. One of the most compelling aspects of personalized context-aware systems is their ability to combine traditional agricultural knowledge with modern technological advancements. This study contributes to the field by demonstrating how to integrate personalized context-aware systems with adaptive learning models and IoT technology can significantly enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. This research problem is to determine on how the application of sophisticated technologies, namely the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning and geographic information system (GIS) with conventional farming techniques boost yields within rural farming activities. The primary objectives of this research are as follows: i) To identify the agricultural practices and environmental impacts in Shaanxi Province, China, ii) To determine agriculture practices towards sustainable rural agriculture in Shaanxi Province, China, iii) To analyse the machine learning models for sustainable rural agriculture in Shaanxi Province, China, and iv) To formulate the framework for sustainable rural agriculture in Shaanxi Province, China. This work employs Shaanxi Province as the study area because of its rich and diverse agriculture practices and severe environmental issues. Both quantitative research using predictive models and quantitative geographical spatial analysis were used in combination with semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with farmers in Shaanxi Province, China. The main purpose is to formulate a framework for the efficient utilization of technology in the implementation of sustainable agriculture in perceived rural farming societies. These findings can prove that using IoT, machine learning, and GIS enhances resource availability and sustainability, produces high yields, and increases food production. The study also realizes socio-economic barriers to these technologies, including education level, financial resources, and so on. Therefore, this research enhances the existing body of knowledge by presenting a concept that delineates a scalable model of sustainable rural agriculture for other provinces in China and comparable conditions across the globe. The likely policy effects include policies of subsidies for the adoption of technology, enhancement of infrastructure and farmer training programs. These measures ensure that rural communities can transform into new sustainable and efficient agriculture practices for sustainable use of natural resource capital with a view of achieving sustainable economic benefits. Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784322 2025-01-02T00:00:00Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784321 Title: Impak pengurusan pensijilan produk perkayuan MTCS-PEFC terhadap industri perkayuan: kajian kes negeri Pahang, Malaysia Authors: Shah Badri Mohd Nor (P109263) Abstract: Pensijilan pengurusan hutan dan rantaian jagaan (CoC) merupakan aktiviti yang penting dalam memastikan kelestarian sumber bahan mentah pada masa akan datang. Malaysia telah melaksanakan Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS) sejak tahun 2001 berlandaskan piawaian antarabangsa seperti Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) dan Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Namun, penilaian impak pensijilan dan CoC di Malaysia masih terhad, terutamanya akibat kekurangan data perkayuan bersijil yang direkodkan secara sistematik. Persoalan utama kajian ini meneliti punca jurang maklumat pensijilan, faktor pendorong pelaksanaan, serta mekanisme sokongan yang dapat meningkatkan keberkesanan pensijilan dalam konteks industri perkayuan. Sehubungan itu, kajian tesis ini bertujuan untuk: mengenal pasti faktor penyebab perbezaan maklumat data pensijilan di rantaian pengeluaran industri perkayuan; mengenal pasti impak positif dan negatif yang mempengaruhi pelaksanaan sistem pensijilan hutan dan CoC; mengenal pasti mekanisme yang mendukung kepada keperluan perdagangan dalam konteks pensijilan produk perkayuan; dan membentuk kerangka pelan tindakan bagi sistem maklumat dan pemantauan pensijilan pengurusan hutan dan CoC. Negeri Pahang dipilih adalah kerana mempunyai antara keluasan hutan terbesar yang bersijil manakala daerah Kuantan dan Temerloh dipilih sebagai lokasi kajian kerana kedua-duanya merupakan kluster utama kilang produk perkayuan serta merupakan kawasan yang tertinggi dalam aspek pengeluaran produk perkayuan primer. Kaedah kajian melibatkan pengumpulan data melalui soal selidik dan temu bual separa berstruktur bersama syarikat serta agensi berkaitan. Analisis dilaksanakan secara deskriptif dan melalui pendekatan SWOT. Hasil kajian mendapati wujud ketidakselarasan data antara Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia (JPSM) dan Lembaga Perindustrian Kayu Malaysia (MTIB), manakala Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) hanya bertindak sebagai pengguna data. Dari aspek impak kepada syarikat, pensijilan memberi kesan positif dengan meningkatkan capaian pasaran antarabangsa, mengukuhkan imej korporat serta persepsi terhadap kelestarian, dan meningkatkan keyakinan pelanggan. Namun, syarikat kecil dan sederhana berdepan kesan negatif seperti peningkatan kos pensijilan, beban dokumentasi, dan cabaran teknikal dalam pematuhan piawaian yang boleh menjejaskan daya saing. Kajian tesis ini menyumbang kepada bidang ilmu melalui pembentukan pelan tindakan sistem maklumat dan pemantauan CoC, yang memperkukuh pengurusan pensijilan di Malaysia. Dari sudut implikasi dasar, pelan tindakan ini berpotensi menjadi asas penambahbaikan sistem pengurusan data dan peranan agensi, sekali gus menyokong daya saing industri perkayuan Malaysia dalam pasaran global berasaskan kelestarian. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784321 2025-11-13T00:00:00Z https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784320 Title: Perilaku alam sekitar peramal keinginan untuk mengambil bahagian dalam inisiatif pembersihan sungai: fungsi bank masa sebagai penyederhana Authors: Suhailah Shamsudin (P115954) Abstract: Sungai Klang merupakan antara sungai paling tercemar di dunia dan menjadi penyumbang utama kepada pelepasan sisa plastik tidak terurus ke lautan. Tingkah laku tidak bertanggungjawab dan tahap kesedaran awam yang rendah dikenal pasti sebagai faktor utama pencemaran ini. Penglibatan masyarakat dalam inisiatif pembersihan sungai sama ada berstruktur atau tidak berstruktur adalah kritikal. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menilai penglibatan awam dalam pembersihan sungai tidak berstruktur melalui dua objektif utama: (1) mengkaji hubungan antara tingkah laku pro-alam sekitar, efikasi kendiri hijau dan keyakinan hijau terhadap keinginan menyertai inisiatif pembersihan sungai, serta (2) menilai fungsi bank masa sebagai penyederhana dalam hubungan tersebut. Kajian ini berpaksikan Teori Penentuan Diri (Self-Determination Theory) (SDT) dan Teori Persepsi Kendiri (Self-Perception Theory) (SPT), dan menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan pengumpulan data melalui soal selidik. Seramai 267 pengusaha bot kecil daripada Persatuan Bot Rekreasi Selangor (PBRS) dan Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Pelabuhan Klang (PNKPK) telah terlibat dalam kajian ini. Hasil analisis model persamaan struktur (SEM-PLS) menunjukkan bahawa tingkah laku pro-alam sekitar (ꞵ = 0.316; t = 4.598; p = 0.000) dan efikasi kendiri hijau (ꞵ = 0.554; t = 6.322; p = 0.000) mempunyai hubungan yang signifikan dan positif terhadap keinginan menyertai inisiatif pembersihan sungai. Namun, keyakinan hijau (ꞵ = 0.183; t = 2.490; p = 0.013) tidak menunjukkan hubungan yang signifikan, dan Hipotesis 3 telah ditolak. Sementara itu, keputusan bagi Hipotesis 4, 5 dan 6 menunjukkan bahawa bank masa tidak mempunyai kesan penyederhanaan yang signifikan terhadap hubungan ketiga-tiga peramal dengan keinginan untuk terlibat (p > 0.05). Ini menandakan bahawa motivasi dalaman adalah lebih dominan, dan ganjaran seperti kredit masa tidak memainkan peranan penting dalam konteks kajian ini. Secara keseluruhannya, dapatan ini menyumbang kepada pengembangan teori motivasi dan tingkah laku alam sekitar dengan memperkukuh peranan efikasi kendiri dan tingkah laku pro-alam sekitarsebagai pemacu penglibatan sukarela. Implikasi praktikal disarankan kepada agensi pengurusan sumber air dan pembuat dasar bagi merangka strategi intervensi yang menekankan nilai dalaman dan bukan sekadar insentif luaran. Kajian masa depan wajar meneroka potensi sebenar bank masa secara lebih menyeluruh sebagai alat pengurusan sukarelawan dalam konteks kelestarian alam sekitar. Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ptsldigital.ukm.my/jspui/handle/123456789/784320 2025-10-03T00:00:00Z