Geochemistry of Sphalerite from the Permian Volcanic-Hosted Massive Sulphide (VHMS) Deposits in the Tasik Chini Area, Peninsular Malaysia: Constraints for Ore Genesis

The Bukit Botol and Bukit Ketaya deposits are two examples of volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposits that occur in the Tasik Chini area, Central Belt of Peninsular Malaysia. The mineralisation is divided into subzones distinguished by spatial, mineralogical, and textural characteristics. The primary sulphide minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena, with lesser amounts of Sn- and Ag-bearing minerals, with Au. However, pyrrhotite is absent from both deposits. This study presents the results of sphalerite chemistry analysed by using an electron microprobe. Two types of sphalerite are recognised: sphalerite from the Bukit Botol deposit reveals a range of <DL to 24.0 mole% FeS, whereas sphalerite from the Bukit Ketaya deposit shows a range of <DL to 3 mole% FeS. Significant variations are shown in Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ag levels. Although the sphalerite has a wide variation in composition, a discernible decreasing Fe trend is exhibited from the stringer zone towards massive sulphide. This compositional variation in sphalerites may in part reflect variable temperature and activity of sulphur in the hydrothermal fluids during ore formation. Alternatively, the bimodal composition variations suggest that mineral chemistry relates to contrasting depositional processes. The Zn/Cd ratios for sphalerite from both these deposits are similar to those exhibited by volcano−sedimentary deposits with a volcanic origin. Therefore, the consistently low Cd concentrations and moderate to high Zn/Cd ratios suggest mixing of seawater and minor magmatic fluids controlling the chemistry of sphalerite at both deposits during their formation.

UNPACKING THE EXPERIENCE OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE TOURISM FROM THE ACADEMIC TOURISTS’ PERSPECTIVES: A CASE OF TASIK CHINI

Biosphere reserves are well recognized as a ‘learning site’ for reconciling conservation, development, and learning functions. Being a learning site, the Biosphere reserves received many visitors, including academic tourists. This article aims at uncovering what academic tourists perceived as the biosphere reserve tourism of Tasik Chini Biosphere Reserve. Based on the academic tourists’ surveys conducted in 2012 and 2014, this study shows that the conservation, socio-ecological learning, and problem-solving experiences are key components of the Biosphere Reserve tourism. The context of entertainment, education, esthetic, and escapism experiences varied among academic tourists. While the academic tourists have ranked the first two components; entertainment and education at a high level of achievement, the esthetic and escapism components on the other part have been ranked at lower achievement. In bridging these contradictory achievements, the study suggests the holistic learning approach. The realistic integration of entertainment, education, esthetics, and escapism is meant to fulfil the needs of the academic tourist's needs during their visit to the Biosphere reserve sites, hence, responded to the rising of experiential tourism and experience economy.

Information Technology Risk Management for Water Quality Monitoring IoT Infrastructure: A Case Study at Tasik Chini Unesco Biosphere Reserve

https://www.ukm.my/apjitm/view.php?id=195

Prevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors of NonCommunicable Diseases among Jakun Orang Asli at Tasik Chini, Pekan, Pahang

Introduction: Non-communicable disease accounted for 73% of premature death in year 2015 Malaysian national survey. The orang asli population may be affected similarly. The prevention of non-communicable diseases should start as early as modifiable risk factors prevention, as proposed by STEPWISE approach of WHO. This study aims to identify the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia among Jakun orang asli population and examine the association with risk factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study analysing 72 case reports of General health screening done in year 2015. The study population was adult Jakun orang asli Tasik Chini using cluster sampling followed by simple random sampling methods. Chi Square test was used for bivariate analysis of relationship each variable has with the diseases, and binary logistic regression was used to analyse association of covariates with each disease. Results: The prevalence was 41.7% for hypertension, 25% for Diabetes mellitus, 6.9% for dyslipidaemia. Education level was significantly related to hypertension, X2 = 11.565 (1), p =0.001; obesity was significantly related to diabetes, X 2 = 8.333 (1), p=0.004. After adjusted for covariates, low education level has 13.379 odds of getting hypertension. Obesity has 7.384 odds of getting diabetes mellitus; female gender has higher odds of getting dyslipidaemia while younger age, physically active and not smoking are protective factors. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was found among Tasik Chini orang asli population. Lower sociodemographic characteristics and unhealthy lifestyle factors are associated with the diseases.