Acknowledgements
I would especially like to give thanks to my immediate supervisor, Dr. Ros Fatihah Hj.
Muhammad for her patience, encouragement and support in the pursuit of this study and in the preparation of this thesis. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Nur Iskandar for the kindness, encouragement and support in accomplishing this thesis. A special note of thanks to Pak H. D. Tjia for his advises and also for being a great role model for me to pursue my study. His passion in earth science, free spirit and energitic characteristics are such a great inspiration to me throughout my life. I would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Azman, Associate Prof. Dr. Ng Tham Fatt, Associate Prof.
Dr. Aye Ko Aung, Dr. Meor Hakif and all lecturers in Geology department for being there whenever I needed advices from the experts. I am indebted to Prof. Dr. Fidel for allowing me and my supervisor to use EPMA at NTU, Singapore. It is also dedicated to Dr. Jason, Dr. Joan and Dr. Ben for their friendly cooperation when I was working on this project at NTU. I should also thanks Mr. Farid for helping me with the SPSS, Islah Hani, Mrs. Zaleha, Mrs. Sarah, Mrs. Zaiton, Mrs. Sham, Mr. Zamrud and all supporting staff for helping me with the usage of facilities in geology and engineering departments. Last but not least, a big hug to my dear friends, Suraya and Nina; thank you for standing by my side when times get hard. Without their assistance and support, this project and thesis might have not been accomplished. This project was funded by MOSTI research grant FP079-2007C and MyBrain15 scholarship.
