This study investigates the effectiveness of durian tree sawdust (DTS), coconut coir (CC) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as amendment agents for the remediation of metal contaminated soil. Three main aspects namely characterisation, adsorption and pot experiment were studied. The characterisation study was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectrometer and Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer. The influence of two experimental parameters, namely solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption process was assessed in batch experiment. The adsorption behaviour of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) onto DTS, CC and EFB was evaluated using the Langmuir and Freundlich equilibrium isotherm models. Two sets of pot experiment were carried out for 8 weeks at three rates of application, namely 0, 1 and 3% (w/w) to evaluate the ability of amendment agents to immobilise metals in contaminated soil. Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica.....

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This research aimed to synthesis and investigate the potential of amphiphilic chitosan derivatives, namely N-octyl-O-sulfate chitosan (NOOSC), N-octyl-N-succinyl chitosan (NONSC), N-octyl-O-glycol chitosan (NOOGC), N-deoxycholic acid-Oglycol chitosan (DAGC), N-hexanoyl-O-glycol chitosan (HGC) and N-lauryl-Oglycol chitosan (LGC) as environmental friendly media for atrazine, rotenone and thymol formulations. The amphiphilic chitosan derivatives were characterised using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, CHNS-O elemental analyser, fluorescence spectrometer and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Encapsulation efficiency of pesticide active ingredients by amphiphilic chitosan derivatives was determined using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The release mechanism of atrazine, rotenone and thymol from the amphiphilic chitosan derivatives micelles was fitted to four kinetic models. .....

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