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Daily Express
2 days ago
- Science
- Daily Express
What a rare ocean acidification study in Sabah found so far
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025 Text Size: PVC plates of ARMS structures showing what are growing on them after two years being deployed at Marine Ecology Research Centre, Gaya Island, sea bed since February 2023. EARLY results from a rare and historic long-term ocean acidification study in Marine Ecology Research Centre, Gaya Island, started in February 2023, found 'a healthy and diverse macro invertebrate community… with no visible signs of shell thinning or reduced calcified biomass' but cautioned that these are only short term indications. Most marine biologists believe ocean acidification is real and ongoing. Ocean acidification refers to an ongoing decrease in seawater pH which doesn't mean seawater is already acidic. Between 1950 and 2020, the average pH of ocean surface is said to have dropped from 8.15 to 8.05, still alkaline but the concern is long term, when it is predicted to drop to 7.7 by the end of this century. Below pH7, the word is acidic. Prof Dr Aileen Tan, a top award winning Malaysian marine biologist, Director of the Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (Cemacs), Universiti Sains Malaysia, is waging a battle to help people grasp the triple threats from his ongoing menace :: Oceans getting Hotter, Sour, Breathless 'The oceans are getting Hotter, Sour and Breathless !' she keeps explaining the complex phenomenon in simple words to widen public understanding and recognise this is a major threat to marine ecosystem and biodiversity held to have far reaching consequences on ocean health and all life that inhabit it. Keen to discover how Ocean Acidification may have threatened Sabah waters too, in early February 2023, Prof Aileen Tan led Cemacs under her into a joint agreement with Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) to set up the first ever ocean acidification monitoring station in the South China Sea, at Gayana Marine Resort, enjoying close rapport with aquatic biologist Alvin Wong, MERC's Project Director, and Gillian Tan, owner representative of Echo Resorts which owns Gayana Marine Resort. By 28 Feb 2023, key standard research tools such as a sensor that continuously monitor sea water temperature and acidity, Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures or stacked PVC plates for marine organisms to colonise designed to monitor biodiversity and thirdly, CAUs (Calsification Accretion Units) deployed to measure calcium carbonate accretion which helps to assess impacts of environmental changes, were fully installed and commissioned. Tools such as Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) and Calcification Accretion Units (CAUs) are increasingly important in this regard. On 17 July 2025, ie two months and five months later, two sets of CAUs and two sets of ARMS each were successfully retrieved and brought back to Cemacs for preliminary analysis, according to Prof Aileen Tan. Prof Tan kindly furnished the preliminary findings to Daily Express, through Alvin Wong. Early ARMS data: No visible signs of shell thinning 'Early ARMS data from Pulau Gaya, Sabah, indicate a healthy and diverse macro-invertebrate community, including sensitive calcifying taxa such as Chama, crinoids, and brittle stars. No visible signs of shell thinning or reduced calcified biomass have been detected, suggesting that OA stress may not yet have reached ecologically significant thresholds in this area. However, ocean acidification is a cumulative stressor and may interact with warming seas and nutrient inputs to undermine coral and invertebrate resilience over time. While visible reef health in Sabah may still appear stable, structural changes in coral skeletons and shell-forming species may already be underway. A long-term coral core study in the northern South China Sea has shown a decline in Porites skeletal density and calcification rates over the past four decades, despite stable vertical growth – an early sign of OA's silent but lasting impact (Yue et al., 2021). This underscores the need for proactive monitoring. Building an early warning system By combining ARMS, CAUs, and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, researchers are building an early-warning system capable of detecting ecological shifts before they become visibly apparent, helping safeguard Sabah's reefs against the advancing effects of ocean acidification. From CAU plates: There is clear evidence of calcifying organism settlement, including small corals, tube worms, bivalves & patches of coralline algae. Some plates show relatively dense colonization, particularly by encrusting taxa, while others exhibit patchier @ more selective settlement patterns. The presence of early coral recruits is a positive indication of larval availability & settlement potential in the area. The overall diversity appears moderate, with both hard & soft encrustations visible,' Prof Aileen Tan concluded. However, she reminded these are just 'short term biological responses'. 'Ocean acidification (OA) is occurring in the South China Sea but a moderate and regionally variable rate.' 'In many cases, its effects remain subtle or masked by complex local environmental conditions, making it difficult to detect clear short term biological responses without long term fine-scale monitoring.' Editor's note: The facts in these Special Reports are contributed by Prof Dato' Dr Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, a prominent figure in marine science, Director of Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia. As recent as June 30 this year, she was awarded the prestigious Unesco Anton Bruun Medal for her significant contribution to marine science.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
No more highway anxiety during long bus trips
GEORGE TOWN: Mandating the use of seat belts in express and tour buses will enhance the safety of passengers and reduce the impact of accidents, especially serious injuries. Housewife M. Kalpana, 52, who frequently travels from Penang to Johor to visit her children, said she often felt anxious during long- distance trips. 'There are times when buses speed along the highway, and I get worried. At that speed and with the weight of the buses, any accident would be catastrophic, so safety measures are needed. 'I support using seat belts, and all the buses I had taken recently had them. But if drivers maintain a moderate and safe speed, many accidents can be prevented,' she said at the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal here yesterday. Engineer Alvin Wong, 52, shared a similar view and was glad that bus companies had generally been accommodating when he requested a seat change due to faulty seat belts. 'It may not be realistic for drivers to ensure every passenger is buckled up, so it's really up to us to take responsibility for our own safety. 'There have been times when the bus had to brake suddenly. That's normal, just like when we drive. But having a seat belt helps keep us in place and prevents us from being thrown around during a sudden halt or collision,' he said. As bus operators rush to comply with the new ruling, many are appealing for a grace period before enforcement is carried out. Edward Lim, 45, owner of Billion Stars Express which has over 100 buses in its fleet, said the regulation, while important, was introduced rather suddenly. 'We support the move to enhance safety but the implementation came quite abruptly. There's a shortage of seat belts in the market and some suppliers are charging twice the usual price. 'We even have to order them from overseas. It's just not feasible for all buses to be ready in time to install seat belts,' he said. Lim added that since most of their buses had already passed Puspakom inspections, a reasonable transition period should be granted. 'If the authorities want to enforce this, they should begin with newer buses, such as those registered after 2020, as they were already required to have seat belts. Older buses need more time for installation,' he said. Kuala Lumpur/Selangor Bumiputera School Bus Operators Association deputy chairman Wan Muhammad Nor Wan Abdullah agreed that seat belts boost safety and public confidence. However, he urged that passengers cooperate when travelling. 'Drivers and operators can remind passengers to wear their seat belts, but many do not comply and we cannot enforce it ourselves. Thankfully, awareness is improving and some schools now only charter buses that are fitted with seat belts,' he said. Wan Muhammad, who also manages Right Vision Travel with 15 tour buses, said 12 of his vehicles already have seat belts installed. 'These are newer buses, purchased after 2015. For the older ones, we are currently retrofitting them with seat belts, which cost over RM100 per seat,' he said. Asked if buses could be fitted with sensors or buzzers to alert drivers when seat belts are unbuckled, such as in passenger planes, Wan Muhammad said cost remains a major barrier. 'Although it is effective, it is expensive to install such systems in existing buses since they require additional electronics and sensors. 'In future, I hope coach builders include seat belts and related technology as standard,' he said. In line with the ruling effective July 1, the Road Transport Department (JPJ) launched enforcement operations targeting both bus drivers and passengers who fail to comply. The department is also considering expanding the mandatory seat belt requirement to include other categories of buses beyond express and tourist services. JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli said that current enforcement efforts are focused on express and tour buses manufactured after January 2020, as these vehicles were already equipped with seat belts. He said for other categories of public transport, JPJ will implement the directive in stages once the evaluation process is completed.
