Research Projects / Jobs

09Assesment of environmental and ecotoxicological pollution of Kaptai Lake, Chattogram, Bangladesh

Its a Joint Program of Hong Kong Education University (HKDU) and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Science University (CIVASU).

Project Leader

Md. Saif Uddin Arif

Doctoral Fellow

The Education University of Hong Kong

Duration: October 2024 - Continued
Responsibilities

Data interpretation, analysis, report writing

08Junior Research Officer at CPRD

CPRD is a Non Governmental organization, which worked on climate based policy and solutions.

Organization

Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD). House 1219, Flat A-2, Road 10, Avenue-10, Mirpur (12) DOHS, Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh.

Duration: March 2024 - July 2024
Responsibilities

Data interpretation, analysis, report writing

07Quantification of Microplastics of Meghna River Ecosystem

This is a independent research program of Saif Uddin Arif, who is a doctoral fellow of Hong Kong Education University. This study addressing the ecotoxicological aspects of the Mighty Meghna River of Bangladesh.

Plastic has become an integral part of human life due to its availability, durability, and a lightweight carry. With time use of plastic products has increased and new plastic products are coming into the market to make human life comfortable. Thus, the demand of plastic products has reached its peak. The increasing uses of plastics by mixing with the environment, posing a deadly threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Further, plastic materials turn into microplastics by various weathering process or comes from direct sources to the environment and causes serious threat as they are widespread and degrade very slowly.

However, today's plasticine world, humanity struggles to combat the plastic pollution, so it is important to understand the toxicological mechanisms associated with microplastics. As Bangladesh is a low lying riverine country, microplastic pollution is so severe here. This study is trying to quantify the microplastic status of the Mighty Meghna River.

Project Leader

Md. Saif Uddin Arif

Doctoral Fellow

The Education University of Hong Kong

Role: Research Assistant (RA)
Duration: March 2024 - Continued
Responsibilities

Experimental preparation, field data collection, spatial analysis
Reviewing literature, writing reports, and coordination of field activities.

06Effects of Ocean Acidification and Global Warming on Molluscs Communities of Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh

This is a government-funded project under the Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh addressing the world's most crucial issue global warming and climate change.

Now-a-days it is known to us that lower oceanic pH and increase sea surface temperature (SST) are unfavorable for the growth, survival and reproduction of marine calcifiers such as coral reefs, molluscs and other shelly organisms. Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions along with the rising temperature are driving unprecedented changes in seawater chemistry, resulting in reduced pH and carbonate ion concentrations in the Earth’s oceans. Which is known to us as global warming and ocean acidification, and creates an unfavorable environment for the growth, survival and reproduction of marine calcifiers such as coral reefs, molluscs and other shelly organisms. Though, the impacts of ocean acidification on marine fauna and ecosystem processes are poorly understood in Bangladesh. This study is trying to unravel the impacts of high temperature and low pH on Oyster and Mollusk species of Bangladesh.

Project LeaderMd. Shafiqul Islam, PhDProfessorInstitute of Marine SciencesUniversity of ChittagongChattogram-4331, Bangladesh.
Role: Research Assistant (RA)
Duration: August 2022 - March 2024.
Responsibilities

Experimental preparation, field data collection, and laboratory analysis
Species rearing and aquarium management
Reviewing literature, writing reports, and coordinating field and laboratory activities.

Experimental setup

Perna viridis in insitu culture tank

Breeding of Thiais lacera in culture tank

Rearing of Crossostrea sp. in culture tank

Polyculture of molusk

Cultivation phytoplankton as food source of the mollusk

Demonstration of the output to the university students

05Ecological services and environmental risks associated with seaweed cultivation at Cox’s Bazar Coast, Bangladesh

Seaweed is a natural bioactive compound that meets the demand of food, nutrients, medicine, oxygen, biofuels, and so on (Kumar et al. 2008). Thus, the cultivation of seaweed has become more popular day by day all over the world (Yarnpakdee et al. 2015). At present, the cultivation of seaweed has become very vital in Bangladesh as the domestic and global demand is increasing more rapidly.
Despite seaweed cultivation having considerable positive environmental impacts, there are some negative impacts which are known as environmental risks. These risks include the absorption of excessive light, nutrients, kinetic energy, and carbon, noise creation, release of dissolved and particulate matter, hub for parasites and non-native species, creates artificial habitat, etc.

Experimental preparation, field data collection, and laboratory analysis.
Seaweed cultivation and rearing
Reviewing literature, writing reports, and coordination of field and laboratory activities.

Photographs

04Production of Acid Silages from Animal Wastes for utilization as fish meal replacer in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diet

Since the beginning of human history, most of the global population, especially Bangladesh, has relied on aquaculture, which have provided essential sustenance for thousands of years. Aquaculture has emerged as a new arena to meet the ever-increasing demand for animal protein by the world population. Global consumption statistics showed that about 3.3 billion people receive almost 20 percent of their average per capita animal protein intake from fish (FAO, 2020). Thus, fish is recognized as not only a crucial nutritious diet across the world but also as one of the healthiest foods impacting least on the natural environment.
In this context, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a very popular fish among farmers and consumers and commercially cultured worldwide. The use of animal wastes as low-cost protein ingredient for inclusion in the diet of tilapia could open up a new avenue for feed manufacturers, farmers and other stakeholders in this sector. According to this study, successful production of silages and their optimum inclusion in the diet formulation of experimental fish Nile tilapia would be possible.

Project LeaderAysha AkterAssociate ProfessorInstitute of Marine SciencesUniversity of ChittagongChattogram-4331, Bangladesh.
Role: Research Assistant (RA)
Duration: May 2018 - July 2020.
Responsibilities

Experimental preparation, field data collection, and laboratory analysis.
Production of silages, formulation and preparation of experimental diet
Rearing species and management
Reviewing literature, writing reports, and coordination of field and laboratory activities.

03Improved Natural Environment and Peaceful Coexistence for Refugees and Host Communities

It was jointly collaborated program of Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS) and UNHCR to restore the natural environment and water bodies of Ukhiya, Cox's Bazar which is deteriorating due to the massive Rohingya refugee influx from the Rakhine state of Myanmar. Rohingya refugee also known as Forcefully Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) entered into Bangladesh in a massive number in 2017 due to the military aggresion of Myanmar army. According to UNHCR, their approxiate number is 9,43,539 individuals and they start to inhabit in ukhiya, a hilly region of Cox's Bazar district. The prolonged stay of the Rohingya refugees is creating a strain on the communities as well as on the natural resources such as ground water depletion, forest and agricultural land degradation, acquifer reduction and contamination and so on.

OrganizationCenter for Natural Resources Studies (CNRS)House:13, Road: 17, Block: D, Banani, Dhaka.
Role: Enumerator
Duration: 9 November 2019-20 November 2019
Responsibilities

Conducting interviews among Rohingya Refugees and Host Communities.

02Subjective well-being and motivations in the world’s fishers: Initial Interview

Bangladesh is a low-lying riverine country with mesmerizing natural beauty. Most of this people depend on fisheries for their livelihood, food and nutrition.
It was a doctoral research program of Autonomous University of Barcelona regarding the well-being and mental health of the fishermen of Nijhum Dwip, a remote Island of Bangladesh.

Project LeaderSara Miñarro, PhDPost-Doctoral Researcher Autonomous University of BarcelonaInstitute of Environmental Sciences and Technologies (ICTA)
Role: Volunteer
Duration: September 2018 (One week)
Responsibilities

Taking interview of Nijhum Dwip's Fisherman.

01Shore Facilitation with Oyster Reef to Enhance Coastal Habitats and Aquatic Food Production (ShoreFORE)

Bangladesh is a very disaster prone country with rich siltation which creates the world's largest delta. Floods, droughts, cyclones, coastal erosion and other natural calamities are very common occurrences here. It is a very challenging task for us to protect our coastal belt. All the efforts taken by the government to protect the coastline have ended in failure somehow. But nature bestows us with numerous ecological engineers, like oysters. This study finds that oysters can form reefs which are able to protect our coastal belt and can create suitable habitat for the aquatic entities.
It was a jointly collaborated program of Institute of Marine Sciences and Fisheries, University of Chittagong and Wageningen University, Netherlands.

Project LeaderDr. Md. Shah Nawaz ChowdhuryAssociate ProfessorFaculty of Marine Sciences and Fisheries University of ChittagongChattogram-4331, Bangladesh.
Role: Volunteer
Duration: June 2016 - August 2017.
Responsibilities

Sample preparation and analysis of grain size of coastal sediment

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