NSTU Official Website

EXTERNAL PROFILES

Professor

Mohammad Belal Hossain

Dr. Hossain is currently focusing on ecosystem and human health exposure to microplastics and emerging contaminants. His work specifically aims to address critical questions, such as identifying appropriate threshold values for human exposure to microplastics and developing toxicity sensitivity distributions to assess the adverse health effects of microplastic exposure, which will help establish these exposure thresholds. He has authored over 200 scientific publications and discovered five new invertebrate species from Bangladesh’s coastal waters. According to Scopus, he is the top-ranked researcher at NSTU, with over 5900 citations and an h-index of 39. He also serves as a Guest Editor and reviewer for numerous prestigious journals, including Biology, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Science of the Total Environment, Scientific Reports, and Environmental Pollution.

Fisheries and Marine Science

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Mohammad Belal Hossain is a Professor of Marine Biology (currently on study leave) in the Department of Fisheries and Marine Science at Noakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. He holds an MSc in Estuarine Science from the University of Hull, United Kingdom, and a PhD in Estuarine Benthic Ecology from Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He subsequently completed postdoctoral research at the Australian Museum Research Institute in Sydney, Australia. With over two decades of research experience, Dr. Hossain's expertise encompasses benthic ecology, biodiversity assessment, aquatic pollution, marine fisheries, and coastal aquaculture. He was a professional member of the Australian Marine Sciences Association and the Scottish Association for Marine Science.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Aquatic pollution Benthic ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Climate Change Coastal Aquaculture

2015 - 2015

Postdoctoral

Invertebrate

Australian Museum Research Institute

2011 - 2015

Ph.D

Environmental and Life Sciences programme

Universiti Brunei Darussalam

2003 - 2005

M.Sc

IECS

Hull University, UK

1995 - 2001

B.Sc (Hons)

Marine Science

Chittagong University

Last updated on 2025-10-01 03:20:05

No Job information...

No Project information...

September 20, 2016 to October 10, 2016

Spatial Ecology, Geospatial Analysis, and Remote Sensing for Conservation

Description: Enter Training Description

Organization: George Mason University, USA

June 10, 2010 to October 30, 2010

Identification, Data Analysis and Interpretation

Description: Enter Training Description

Organization: Hull University, UK

December 04, 2016 to December 05, 2016

Workshop on the Development of an Integrative Ocean Research Network

Description: Enter Training Description

Organization: Ocean Research Network, Germany

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

1 Research Contribution Award

Noakhali Science and Technology University

Description:
Date: December 01, 2020

2 Best Researcher Award

Noakhali Science and Technology University

Description: I have been awarded this award for the best research performance in the year 2020
Date: June 25, 2020

3 Most Prodcutive Researcher Award

Noakhali Science and Technology University

Description:
Date: January 12, 2020

4 Travel Award

National Science Foundation (USA)

Description:
Date: May 15, 2016

5 Graduate Research Scholarship

Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Description:
Date: February 15, 2011

6 DFID Commonwealth Shared Scheme

Association of Commonwealth Universities

Description:
Date: July 15, 2003

2025

Journal

Spatial Dynamics and Ecological Risks of Sediment-Bound Metal (loid) s in a Heavily Industrialized Subtropical Estuary

Authors: Hossain, Mohammad Belal and Riya, Khadijatul Kubra and Farjana, Sanjida Jahan and Bhuiyan, Tabarok and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Ngah, Norhayati and Hossain, Md Kamal

Journal: Earth Systems and Environment, Publisher: Springer , Page: 1-21

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-025-00773

2025

Journal

Ecological risk profiling of microplastic load in commercial aquaculture of Bangladesh: A multi-approach analysis across species-specific ponds

Authors: Ali, Md Ramzan and Anisuzzaman, Md and Lipi, Jahanara Akhter and Riya, Khadijatul Kubra and Arai, Takaomi and Ngah, Norhayati and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 13 , Issue: 5 , Page: 118380

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2025.118380

2025

Journal

Microplastic contamination in some popular seafood fish species from the northern Bay of Bengal and possible consumer risk assessment

Authors: Jamal, Nilima Tuz and Islam, Md Rakeb Ul and Sultana, Salma and Banik, Partho and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Albeshr, Mohammed Fahad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Food Control, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 171 , Page: 111114

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.111114

2025

Journal

Biodiversity and Seasonal Succession of Macrobenthos in Saltmarsh Habitat Adjacent to a Ship-Breaking Area

Authors: Islam, M Shafiqul and Zamal, Hossain and Alam, Muhammad Shah and Bappy, Md Maheen Mahmud and Kamal, Abu Hena Mustafa and Hossain, M Belal and Arai, Takaomi

Journal: Diversity, Publisher: MDPI , Volume: 17 , Issue: 4 , Page: 231

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040231

2025

Journal

Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in two edible marine fish species sourced from the Bay of Bengal: Contamination level and risk assessment

Authors: Pingki, Farjana Haque and Anisuzzaman, Md and Jolly, Yeasmin N and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Arai, Takaomi and Al-Anazi, Khalid Mashay and Farah, Mohammad Abul and Huque, Roksana and Khatun, Mst Afifa and Hossain, Imran and others

Journal: Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 139 , Page: 107053

2024

Journal

Macrobenthos community responses to tidal barrier in a sub-tropical river estuary: Insights for coastal management

Authors: Jannah, Md Riadul and Saha, Debasish and Bappy, Md Maheen Mahmud and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Banik, Partho and Albeshr, Mohammed Fahad and Arai, Takaomi and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Regional Studies in Marine Science, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 79 , Page: 103842

2024

Journal

Characteristics, contamination levels, and ecosystem risk assessment of microplastics in surface water of a highly urbanized river from a developing country

Authors: Riya, Khadijatul Kubra and Anisuzzaman, Md and Samad Azad, Md Abdus and Ujjaman Nur, As-Ad and Banik, Partho and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, Mohammad Belal

Journal: ACS omega, Publisher: ACS Publications , Volume: 9 , Issue: 52 , Page: 50922--50932

2024

Journal

Response of benthic assemblages to heavy metal contamination from shipbreaking operations in a tropical coastal area

Authors: Lipi, Jahanara Akhter and Hossain, M Belal and Jolly, YN and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy

Journal: Regional Studies in Marine Science, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 78 , Page: 103766

2024

Journal

Exploring phyto-and zooplankton community structure, spatial variation, and driving forces shaping the community from a large-scale freshwater dominated estuary

Authors: Hossain, Md Shahadat and Ullah, M Akram and Sultana, Salma and Hasan, Md Monjurul and Pramanik, Md Mehedi Hasan and Hasan, Md Robiul and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Hossain, Mohammad Belal

Journal: Environmental Research Communications, Publisher: IOP Publishing , Volume: 6 , Issue: 11 , Page: 115012

2024

Journal

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of three GnRH analogues in induced breeding of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis under hatchery conditions

Authors: Yasmin, Rahima and Rahman, Md Mofizur and Chakraborty, Smriti and Sarker, Bhakta Supratim and Bappy, Md Maheen Mahmud and Sarker, Pallab Kumer and Albeshr, Mohammed Fahad and Arai, Takaomi and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Publisher: Frontiers Media SA , Volume: 8 , Page: 1445760

2024

Journal

Effects of dietary supplementation of Zn-nanoparticles on the growth performance and nutritional quality of Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus

Authors: Jewel, Abu Sayed and Haque, Ayenuddin and Akter, Nasrin and Akter, Sumaiya and Satter, Abdus and Sarker, Pallab Kumer and Marshall, David J and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Publisher: Frontiers Media SA , Volume: 8 , Page: 1410557

2024

Journal

Ecological risk assessment of microplastics and mesoplastics in six common fishes from the Bay of Bengal Coast

Authors: Sultana, Salma and Anisuzzaman, Md and Hossain, Md Kamal and Rana, Md Sohel and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 204 , Page: 116544

2024

Journal

Microplastic accumulation, morpho-polymer characterization, and dietary exposure in urban tap water of a developing nation

Authors: Hossain, M Belal and Yu, Jimmy and Sarker, Pallab Kumer and Banik, Partho and Sultana, Salma and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Haque, Md Rashedul and Rahman, Md Mostafizur and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi

Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Publisher: Frontiers Media SA , Volume: 8 , Page: 1397348

2024

Journal

Heavy metals in afforested mangrove sediment from the world's largest delta: Distributional mapping, contamination status, risk assessment and source tracing

Authors: Rahman, Md Saifur and Rahman, Moshiur and Jolly, Yeasmin N and Hossain, Md Kamal and Semme, Sanjida Afrin and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 203 , Page: 116429

2024

Journal

Assessing the impact of climatic factors on dengue fever transmission in Bangladesh

Authors: Miah, Md Mamun and Hossain, Mohammad Belal and Jannat, Sumiya Nur and Karim, Md Rezaul and Rahman, Md Rashedur and Arafat, Yasin and Pingki, Farjana Haque

Journal: Aerobiologia, Publisher: Springer , Volume: 40 , Issue: 2 , Page: 233--245

2024

Journal

The contribution of homestead pond fish culture to household food security and dietary diversity in central coast of a developing country

Authors: Hossain, M Belal and Pingki, FH and Sultana, M and Salim, NM and Islam, MM and Rahman, AFM Arifur and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi

Journal: Heliyon, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 10 , Issue: 7

2024

Journal

Risk assessment and sources apportionment of toxic metals in two commonly consumed fishes from a subtropical estuarine wetland system

Authors: Ahmed, Md Moudud and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Sultana, Salma and Jolly, Yeasmin N and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, Mohammad Belal

Journal: Biology, Publisher: MDPI , Volume: 13 , Issue: 4 , Page: 260

2024

Journal

Delineation of trace metal level in fish feed and farmed fish, Tilapia (Oreochromis mossumbicus) and their consequences on human health

Authors: Rakib, Md Refat Jahan and Miah, Soab and Hossain, M Belal and Kumar, Rakesh and Jolly, Yeasmin Nahar and Akter, Shirin and Islam, Md Saiful and Idris, Abubakr M

Journal: Regional Studies in Marine Science, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 71 , Page: 103403

2024

Journal

Quantification, characterization and risk assessment of microplastics from five major estuaries along the northern Bay of Bengal coast

Authors: Banik, Partho and Anisuzzaman, Md and Bhattacharjee, Shovon and Marshall, David J and Yu, Jimmy and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Jolly, Yeasmin N and Al-Mamun, Md and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Bappy, Md Maheen Mahmud and others

Journal: Environmental Pollution, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 342 , Page: 123036

2024

Journal

Optimizing Aquaponic Systems for Improved Food Production Efficiency in Climate-Vulnerable Coastal Regions

Authors: Asadujjaman, Md and Salam, Md Abdus and Chowdhury, Muhammad Tanvir Hossain and Alam, Sarker Mohammed Rafiqul and Albeshr, Mohammed Fahad and Arai, Takaomi and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Aquaculture Research, Publisher: Wiley Online Library , Volume: 2024 , Issue: 1 , Page: 9467236

2023

Journal

Microplastics in aquatic environments: A comprehensive review of toxicity, removal, and remediation strategies

Authors: Ahmed, A.S., Billah, M.M., Ali, M.M., Bhuiyan, M.K.A., Guo, L., Mohinuzzaman, M., Hossain, M.B., Rahman, M.S., Islam, M.S., Yan, M. and Cai, W.

Journal: Science of The Total Environment, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 876 , Page: 162414

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162414

2023

Journal

Assessing health hazards of dried fish consumption from coastal markets in a developing nation

Authors: Faisal, Md and Rima, Nazmun Naher and Riya, Khadijatul Kubra and Sarker, Pallab Kumer and Siddique, Md Abu Bakar and Albeshr, Mohammed Fahad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 18 , Page: 101385

2023

Journal

Accumulation and phytoremediation potentiality of trace and heavy metals in some selected aquatic plants from a highly urbanized subtropical estuary

Authors: Tanjin, Fatema and Rahman, Md Mofizur and Jolly, Yeasmin Nahar and Riya, Khadijatul Kubra and Akter, Shirin and Albeshr, Mohammed Fahad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy and Hossain, Mohammad Belal

Journal: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Publisher: MDPI , Volume: 12 , Issue: 7 , Page: 1131

2023

Journal

Efficacy of using plant ingredients as partial substitute of fishmeal in formulated diet for a commercially cultured fish, Labeo rohita

Authors: Akter, Sumaiya and Haque, Md Ayenuddin and Sarker, Md Al-Amin and Atique, Usman and Iqbal, Sonia and Sarker, Pallab Kumer and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Publisher: Frontiers Media SA , Volume: 8 , Page: 1376112

2023

Journal

Biometry, Growth, and Recruitment Pattern of a Commercially Important Nereid polychaete, Namalycastis fauveli, from the East Coast of Bangladesh

Authors: Sarker, Md Jahangir and Sarker, Pallab Kumer and Islam, Md Ariful and Rima, Nazmun Naher and Joydas, Thadickal Viswanathan and Sultana, Nahid and Islam, Md Monirul and Hossain, Md Yeamin and Hossain, Mohammad Belal

Journal: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Publisher: MDPI , Volume: 12 , Issue: 2 , Page: 312

2023

Journal

Detection of estuarine benthic macroinvertebrates communities using artificial neural network

Authors: Fatema, Sharmin and Khan, Md Ashikur Rahman and Prity, Farida Siddiqi and Hossain, M Belal and Ejaz, Md Sabbir and Khan, Md Ahnaf Saad

Journal: International Journal of Information Technology, Publisher: Springer , Volume: 16 , Issue: 2 , Page: 1005--1014

2023

Journal

Ecological habitat quality assessment of a highly urbanized estuary using macroinvertebrate community diversity and structure

Authors: Farukuzzaman, Md and Sultana, Tasnim and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Hossain, M Belal

Journal: Regional Studies in Marine Science, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 66 , Page: 103149

2023

Journal

Microplastics in different tissues of a commonly consumed fish, Scomberomorus guttatus, from a large subtropical estuary: accumulation, characterization, and contamination assessment

Authors: Hossain, Mohammad Belal and Pingki, Farjana Haque and Azad, Md Abdus Samad and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Banik, Partho and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi and Yu, Jimmy

Journal: Biology, Publisher: MDPI , Volume: 12 , Issue: 11 , Page: 1422

2023

Journal

Trace metals in transboundary (India--Myanmar--Bangladesh) anadromous fish Tenualosa ilisha and its consequences on human health

Authors: Parvin, Afsana and Hossain, Md Kamal and Parvin, Afroza and Hossain, M Belal and Shaikh, Md Aftab Ali and Moniruzzaman, Mohammad and Saha, Badhan and Suchi, Priyanka Dey and Islam, Fahima and Arai, Takaomi

Journal: Scientific Reports, Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK London , Volume: 13 , Issue: 1 , Page: 19978

2023

Journal

Distribution, characterization and contamination risk assessment of microplastics in the sediment from the world's top sediment-laden estuary

Authors: Hossain, M Belal and Yu, Jimmy and Nur, As-Ad Ujjaman and Banik, Partho and Jolly, Yeasmin N and Al-Mamun, Md and Paray, Bilal Ahamad and Arai, Takaomi

Journal: Journal of Environmental Management, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 344 , Page: 118472

2018

Journal

Assessment of heavy metal pollution, distribution and source apportionment in the sediment from Feni River estuary, Bangladesh

Authors: Islam, M. S., Hossain, M. B., Matin, A., & Sarker, M. S. I.

Journal: Chemosphere, Publisher: Elsevier , Volume: 202 , Page: 25-32

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.077

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Masters - 2018-19

Jahanara Akter Lipi

Assistant Professor

Thesis Title: Response of benthic assemblages to heavy metal contamination from shipbreaking operations in a tropical coastal area

Overview: Enter Project/Thesis Overview

Honors - 2016-17

Trisha Biswas

PhD fellow in Japan

Thesis Title: Heavy metals in Sangu River estuary

Overview: Enter Project/Thesis Overview

Masters - 2015-16

A.S. Safiuddin Ahmed

PhD Fellow in USA

Thesis Title: Heavy metals in water, sediment and fishes from Gumti river

Overview: Enter Project/Thesis Overview

Masters - 2015-16

M. Saiful Islam

Lecturer

Thesis Title: Assessment of heavy metal pollution, distribution and source apportionment in the sediment from Feni River estuary, Bangladesh

Overview: Heavy metal pollution in sediment resources may pose serious threat to ecosystem and human health through food web. In this study, surface sediment samples of 10 stations along the Feni River estuary were analyzed to profile the accumulation, sources and pollution levels of heavy metals. The results revealed that the average contents (μg g−1) of eight selected heavy metals followed the order of Mn (37.85) > Cr (35.28) > Ni (33.27) > Co (31.02) > Pb (6.47) > Ag (1.09) > As (0.85) > Hg (0.71), and the concentrations varied spatially and seasonally with relatively higher levels at upward stations and during the rainy season. According to sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the sediment samples were heavily contaminated with Ag and Hg, and moderately with Co. Threshold effect concentration (TEC) and probable effect concentration (PEC) values indicated that the concentration of only Ni and Cr were likely to occasionally exhibit adverse effects on the ecosystem. Enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (CF) analyses revealed that Ag, Co and Hg were at moderate to high pollution levels and the rests (As, Cr, Ni, Pb and Mn) were at no to low pollution levels. Potential ecological risk index (PERI) also showed that Ag, Co and Hg were the most potential ecological risk factor being determined in this studied area. Correlation matrix combined with multivariate principal component analysis and cluster analysis suggest that Ag, Co, Ni and Hg originated from anthropogenic sources (agrochemicals, silver nanoparticles anti-microbial agent, silver plating), whereas As, Cr, Pb and Mn primarily originated from natural geological background.

Honors - 2015-16

M. Shamsuddin

Senior Fisheries Officer

Thesis Title: Performance of monosex fry production of two Nile tilapia strains: GIFT and NEW GIPU

Overview: Enter Project/Thesis OA study was conducted to know the performance of GIFT and NEW GIFU tilapia to produce monosex tilapia for a period of 4 months from March to June, 2010 by using controlled on-station experimentation. The egg production, hatching rate and fry survival rate in both strains were assessed to know their performance. For monosex fry production, fertilized eggs were collected from the female mouth directly from breeding hapas placed in pond and were kept in jar incubation system in hatchery. Fries were obtained after an incubation period of 90-96 hours. The highest (118.33 eggs/female of GIFT tilapia and 334.61 eggs/female of NEW GIFU tilapia) egg production was found in March and the lowest (23 eggs/female of GIFT tilapia and 28.73 eggs/female of NEW GIFU tilapia) egg production was found in May. The monthly average egg production (138.34±134.6725 no./female), average hatching rate (54%±0.0465) and average fry survival rate (73.20%±0.0564) were found in NEW GIFU tilapia which were higher than that of the GIFT tilapia strain (monthly average egg production 63.08±40.92 no./female, average hatching rate 50.34%±0.0295 and average fry survival rate 70.21%±0.0476). The androgen hormone 17-"-Methyltestosterone (MT) was administered orally to the three day old fry at their first feeding stage at the dose of 60 mg/kg feed. After hormone treatment, the treated fries were transferred to hapas placed in pond for further rearing (21 days). The results demonstrate that the dose of MT-60 for 21 days was sufficient to produce 95% male population of the GIFT strain and 99% male population of the NEW GIFU strain. The finding of the … verview

Masters -

Partho Banik

PhD Fellow in Australia

Thesis Title: Microplastics in five diffrent estuaries of Bangladesh

Overview: Enter Project/Thesis Overview

Institutional Email: belal.hossain@nstu.edu.bd
Personal Email: mbhnstu@gmail.com
Mobile number: +8801867563826
Emergency Contact: N/A
PABX: N/A
Website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2GZfQjkAAAAJ&hl=en

SOCIAL PROFILES

Department

Fisheries and Marine Science

Noakhali Science and Technology University