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Malaysia: 1. General description of why an area is selected All organisms are greatly influenced by alteration in their environment. Change threatens some species while survival of others is enhanced. In pursuing their own interest humans have considerably altered the earth's environment and have decreased the probability of survival for many other species. There is a question whether the humans are environmental manipulators have increased or decreased their own chance for survival. Pesticides afford remarkable benefits to mankind not only by increasing crop yields and protecting forest but also by controlling arthropod vectors of serious human diseases. Alkylphenols have a variety of uses not only as derivatives to many other useful chemicals for example pesticides, surfactant, detergent and sealant but are also use to make many plastic articles for everyday domestic and commercial use. Since these chemicals are highly lipid soluble, and hence they may produce adverse effects on the ecosystems. As a consequence of this, and because of the way that animals and humans deal with these toxic substances once they enter the body, they can become stored in fatty tissues. The levels of chemicals bioaccumulate in animals' fat as more of the chemical is taken in. For many of these chemicals, the levels in fat increase as one animal eat another, so that the highest levels are found in predator animals at the top of food webs, for example, humans, seals, dolphins and fish-eating birds. Selection of Rivers Several rivers in the state of Selangor, Malaysia have been chosen as a water sampling area for the UNU hydrosphere project for the year of 2000, 2001 and 2002. The plan to continue monthly sampling at these sites for the next 3 years for the UNU hydrosphere project will be carried out. Nine sites were chosen as sampling stations along the Selangor River for reasons of agricultural and industrial area as well ease of sampling. The descriptions of each site are as follows: Site 1 (3°40.81'N; 101°44.95'E): Semangkok River (located at Fraser's Hill) This site is located at the uppermost area of Selangor River. There are no agricultural or industrial activities at this site. The water is clear. Site 2 (3°34.92'N; 101°43.05'E): Sungai Luit (located at Kampung Peretak) This site is a recreational area for tourist but will soon be closed to the public because work on building a dam further down the stream are being carried out. Site 3 (3°29.24'N, 101°36.96'E): Selangor River (located at Pekan Rasa) There are farm plot situated along the river and a few factories are situated upstream from site 3 such as paper and furniture factories (Rasa Industrial Area). There are also ex-mining ponds situated along site 3. Site 4 (3°27.93 N, 101°40.04 E): Batang Kali River (Batang Kali) There are oil palm plantations situated on both sides of the river along site 4. Batang Kali industrial area is situated upstream from site 4, which includes a paint factory either for manufacturing, packing or storage of paints. There is also a housing estate along site 4. Sand mining is also done at this site. Site 5 (3°29.03'N, 101°32.72'E): Kerling River (located at Bukit Beruntung) Site 5 is a vegetable farm area and an aquaculture area. Fresh water fishponds were dug out beside the river and the water from the river was directly pumped infiltered into these fishponds. Site 6 (3°28.56'N, 101°32.72'E): Buluh/ Tinggi River There are vegetable farms and oil palm plantation along the river at site 6. Site 7 (3°24.10'N, 101°26.35'E): Selangor River (located at Rantau Panjang) Oil palm and rubber plantations are situated along this site. There are also some oil palm and rubber factories situated near the river at this site. Housing estates are located along both sides of the river. Site 8 (3°21.85'N, 101°18.64'E): Selangor River (located at Kampung Teluk Siam) Site 8 is an ecotourism area mainly in exposing tourist and researchers to the wonders of peat swamp and fireflies habitat. Site 9 (3°20.43'N, 101°15.12'E): Selangor River (located at Kuala Selangor) Site 9 is at the mouth of the river leading to the Straits of Malacca. Housing estates are situated along both sides of the river. There are lots of fishing boats powered by diesel engines at this site. 2. Specific description of the location 3. Geographic coordinates of the sampling locations Several other rivers that were chosen for the UNU hydrosphere project are as follows. Table 2 Location and activities of sampling station.
* Ag - Agriculture activities, DW - Domestic waste, SM - Sand mining, Ind - Industrial area, LD - Land development, SW - Sewage plant, PF - Pig farm, LF - Landfill. 4. Sampling plan 5. Country and specific area of maps 
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