KUALA LUMPUR – Victims of the recent floods that devastated parts of Malaysia may still be reeling from the country’s worst natural disaster in recent history, but the impact is far from over.
Scientists have warned that the floods – which have killed dozens of people and caused destruction to countless properties – could now have long-term environmental ramifications.
They said the after-effects of the disaster could potentially threaten the health of the country’s rivers, seas, and aquatic life, although studies will have to be conducted to fully understand the true extent of the catastrophe.
Speaking to The Vibes, soil scientist Ghulam Mohammed Hashim said the floods have caused large quantities of chemical-laden soil to be eroded and pushed to low-lying areas.
He said this will contribute to sedimentation and pollution of streams, rivers, and seas.
The phenomenon, he added, was aggravated by widespread development in certain areas in the past, which has left behind loose earth.
This also explains why huge volumes of mud have accumulated in affected areas in the aftermath of the disaster, with some locations reporting their houses being knee-deep in mud.
Ghulam said the concentration of development and new industries in a select few areas has led to the loss of so much forest and vegetation, prompting soil erosion.
Chain reactions can affect whole ecosystems
Monash University ecological anthropologist Cyren Wong Zhi Hoong said surface run-off of chemicals from the eroded soil can be extremely detrimental, as it can bring harmful materials such as pesticides and fertilisers into water habitats.
He added that fertilisers, even as they supply nutrients to plants, can be deleterious as they feed algae in the water, leading to algal blooms which can be very disruptive to the ecosystem.
The overgrowth of algae consumes oxygen underwater, and depending on its severity, can make it impossible for aquatic life to survive.
“The lack of oxygen in water can kill all fish and other living creatures, and can certainly be very harmful,” he told The Vibes.
Wong said pesticides are also known to be able to kill invertebrates like dragonflies, which typically lay their eggs in water habitats.
“When a body of water contains pesticides, it will kill a lot of insects. Those that don’t die will fly around and get eaten by birds, for instance. There will be a chain effect, as the birds will have eaten contaminated insects.
“It has been scientifically proven through studies in other countries that if pesticides enter the environment, more creatures can be affected.”
Wong said some of the impact of these chemicals entering water habitats can be seen within a week – as fertilisers feed algae and cause algal blooms – while some others, like the spillover effect of pesticides, take longer to show up.
Shorter lifespans, genetic problems
Environmental consultant and activist Amlir Ayat said chemical-laden soil that enters the water would definitely have an impact on life underwater, reducing the lifespan of aquatic animals and causing genetic mutations.
As far as humans are concerned, Amlir said, this situation could pose a danger if one is to consume “chemicalised” food.
“An aquatic creature infected by these chemicals can potentially continue spreading them, even through reproduction. So of course, the effect can possibly be long-term.”
However, Amlir said various factors would have to be considered before coming to a conclusion, requiring in-depth study.
“Among other things, we need to study the concentration of chemicals in the water, because every body of water has a different dilution capacity.
“For example, a larger river has a better capacity for diluting large amounts of chemicals.” – The Vibes, December 31, 2021
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