Browsing by Author "Botheju, W. S. M."

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Assessment of groundwater contamination with environmental toxicants in CKDu endemic area, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Perera, W. P. R. T.; Dayananda, M. D. N. R; Botheju, W. S. M.; Liyanage, J. A.
Chronic Kidney Disease unknown etiology (CKDu) is one of the major health impacts predominantly confined to people in North Central Province in Sri Lanka. The root courses for the disease prevalence have not found yet. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to determine the groundwater contamination with environmental toxicants: Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) Fluoride (F), Sodium (Na) and Aluminium (Al) in Dimbulagala Grama Niladhari Division (GND) in Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka. The study investigated the groundwater quality of Dimbulagala GND in dry zone of Sri Lanka to assess its suitability for drinking purposes. Only Ten working tube wells were found in the studied area and groundwater samples were collected from the tube wells. Basic physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen), (Hatch HQ14d) and fluoride content were determined (Orion Star- 2014) onsite. Environmental toxicant concentrations were determined using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS, Agilent 7800). Results were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. descriptive statistics were performed on the data set and the Pearson correlation was applied. According to the results obtained from the onsite investigations the mean values of pH, conductivity and fluoride content were 7.78 (+1.28), 520 us/cm (+148) and 1.20 mg/l (+0.32) respectively. The mean value of the fluoride content has exceeded the permissible limit (1.0 mg/L), (SLS 614-2013). It was highlighted that significant toxic heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Arsenic (As) levels as well as other metals like Fe, Cu, Zn, Na, Al have not been exceeded than permissible limits (SLS 614-2013). Statistically evaluation process proved none of the positive correlation is reported between heavy metal concentrations and Fluoride content of the groundwater in the studied area. But a negative correlation was reported between Fluoride and Cr (p= -0.05) in the groundwater in the studied area. Ca and Mg concentrations ranged between 3.43 mg/l to 130.56 mg/L And 6.54 mg/L to 75.32 mg/L respectively. Although mean Ca (10.12 mg/L) and Mg (15.45mg/L) did not exceed the permissible levels (100 mg/L and 30 mg/L for Ca and Mg), 40% and 50% of individual samples for Ca and Mg levels exceeded the permissible levels respectively. There is an urgent need for establishing proper long term drinking water treatment method for the studied area because of long term exposure to heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, As, and high levels of Fluoride as well as other environmental toxicants can be harmful to people. These findings can be used as a benchmark of raw water quality in the design processes of treatment plants
Determination of water quality and suitability in a chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) prevalence area, Sri Lanka
(Institute of Chemistry Ceylon Adamantane House, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Botheju, W. S. M.; Liyanage, Janitha A.
Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is a global health obstacle that is presenting as kidney disease in patients who do not show common causative factors, such as diabetes or hypertension. Although the causative factors and major causes for CKDu prevalence are still in debate, most of the external factors which affect the disease are associated with drinking water. Therefore, this study investigated the water quality and suitability of drinking water in a CKDu prevalence area to assess its suitability for human consumption. The water samples were collected from 30 dug wells in Girandurukotte Grama Niladhari Division (GND), Badulla District which reported the highest number of CKDu patients and from Buddhangala GND in Ampara District (as reference sampling site) in dry season. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Fluoride (F) were analyzed as on-site measurements. Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As) were determined using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Sulphate, Nitrate and Chlorides were analyzed using Ion Chromatography. Each analysis was performed in triplicates. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using standards of drinking water quality recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the results, pH, DO, EC, F, Ca, Mg, Cd, Cr, Pb, As, total hardness, sulphate, nitrate and chloride values in Girandurukotte GND were 7.03±0.08, 4.8±0.8 mg/L, 396.9±9.1 μS/cm, 1.64±0.04 mg/L, 1.05±0.90 mg/L, 202.85±5.60 mg/L, 0.124±0.074 μg/L, 54.75±0.54 μg/L, 0.20±0.05 μg/L, 30.64±8.60 μg/L, 83.60±4.02, 60.28±5.62 mg/L, 20.56±8.62 mg/L and 122.65±10.36 mg/L respectively. The results obtained for WQI in Girandurukotte and Buddhangala were 71.84 (51-75 poor) and 42.67 (26-50 good) respectively. Results indicate that water samples analyzed from Girandurukotte are not safe for human consumption and other domestic purposes while the water samples in reference site are safe for human consumption. Therefore, taking all necessary precautionary measures before the consumption can be recommended to avoid adverse health impacts.
Effect of fertilizer application to the agricultural soil and the determination of soil to plant transfer coefficients of selected elements
(Institute of Chemistry Ceylon Adamantane House, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka., 2020) Perera, W. P. R. T.; Dayananda, M. D. N. R.; Botheju, W. S. M.; Liyanage, Janitha A.
Transfer of metals from soil to plant depends on the availability of particular elements in soil and the fertilizer which are applied to the agricultural fields. This study aims to determine the effect of fertilizer application to the agricultural soil and to determine the soil to plant transfer coefficients of selected elements in Eppawala Grama Niladhari Division (GND), Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Fifteen soil and rice root samples were randomly collected from paddy fields and composite fertilizer samples were prepared by adding Urea, Muriate of Potash and Rock Phosphate in the ratios which were used by farmers in sampled area. Metals were analyzed by Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS-Agilent 7800). Mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Zn in fertilizer composites were 445.00±171.00, 114638.00±46722.00, 92.90±38.40, 178.00±109.00, 5.56±3.41, 912.00±534.00 and 2553.00±1452.00 in mg/kg respectively. Mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Zn in soil samples were 0.22±0.03, 135.10±38.90, 1.37±0.16, 0.25±0.30, 0.01±0.00, 0.32±0.07 and 40±10.3 in mg/kg respectively. The transfer coefficients (TC) of different metals were quantified to indicate the lability of metals in soils. Greater TC value indicates relatively poor retention of metal in soil or greater efficiency of plant roots to absorb metal, and low TC is attributed to strong sorption of metal to the soil colloid. TCs from soil to roots for Cr, Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Pb and Zn were 62.14, 260.04, 46.93, 6.94, 21.26, 14.14 and 3.37 respectively. It indicates that rice roots absorb higher amounts of metals in soil colloids which are resulting mostly from the fertilizer applications. It can be concluded that considerable amount of metals coming from the fertilizers are remaining in the soil and the efficiency of absorbing metals from plant roots is higher than the retention of metals in soil as having greater Transfer Coefficients.
The Groundwater Geochemistry and the Human Health Risk Assessment of Drinking Water in an Area with a High Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu), Sri Lanka
(Journal of Chemistry, 2021) Botheju, W. S. M.; Liyanage, J. A.; Kannangara, S. D. P.; Corchado, J.
Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has become an alarming health issue in Sri Lanka. ,e disease is more notable among farming communities and people who consume groundwater as their main source of drinking water. To assess the possible links between drinking water chemistry and expansion of CKDu, the study was compared with hydrogeochemical data of drinking water sources in a CKDu prevalent area (Girandurukotte GND, Badulla District) and a reference area (Dambethalawa GND, Ampara District) in Sri Lanka. Based on the results, nephrotoxic heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Pb, and As) concentrations were significantly higher in the CKDu prevalent site than the reference area, compromised the harmful consequences to the people in the CKDu hotspot. Results of the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation tool indicated the nephrotoxic heavy metals contents including Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in CKDu hotspot were changed in the ranges of 9.78–187.25 μg/L, 0.08–0.66 μg/L, 20.76–103.30 μg/L, and 0.03–0.34 μg/L. ,e random distribution patterns were shown by the result in Moran’s index values. Noteworthy, the results have emphasized a strong association between fluoride and water hardness. ,e frequency of occurrence above the threshold limit of fluoride was 28% in non-CKDu water samples, while 81% in CKDu prevalent sites. ,e hardness values in the CKDu prevalent site indicated “moderately hard water,” while the non-CKDu area indicated the “soft water.” Furthermore, this paper quantified overall water quality and heavy metal contamination and assessed the human health risks associated with drinking water. According to the results of the water quality index, 90% of the samples in the CKDu prevalent area were classified as “poor water” and “very poor water” for drinking purposes, while 73.33% of the samples in the non-CKDu area were “good” and “excellent” for drinking usage. Calculated chronic daily intake (CDIoral) and hazard quotient (HQoral) of nephrotoxicants were higher in CKDu hotspot than the non-CKDu site. Besides, the hazard index (HI) values obtained for the CKDu prevalent area exceeding the acceptable limit (HI � 1) indicated potential health risks to the people in those areas. ,is study suggests that long-term exposure to nephrotoxic heavy metals, water hardness, and fluoride present in drinking water may threaten human health and affect kidney functions. ,erefore, regular monitoring and better management of water supplies in CKDu prevalent areas are essential to determine the contamination load and reduce the health impacts due to excessive and longterm exposure to the nephrotoxicants.
Investigation of spatial distribution of fluoride in drinking water sources in CKDu prevalence areas in Sri Lanka using GIS
(4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Dayananda, M. D. N. R.; Botheju, W. S. M.; Perera, W. P. R. T.; Liyanage, J. A.
Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) has identified as a significant health burden in rural dry zone areas in Sri Lanka. Fluoride is recognized as a nephrotoxic contaminant which deteriorates the renal functions progressively and the drinking water could be the major source which is responsible for the disease occurrence. Therefore, the present study attempted to investigate the spatial distribution of fluoride in drinking water sources in CKDu prevalence hotspots in Sri Lanka using Geographical Information System (GIS). Triplicated drinking water samples were collected from 30 sampling locations (from dug wells) in each Grama Niladhari Division (GND) including Wewelketiya GND in Anuradhapura district, Ambagaswewa GND in Polonnaruwa district, Naminigama GND in Mathale district and Buddhangala GND in Ampara district (Reference site) in dry season, Sri Lanka (February – March, 2019). Fluoride contents of collected samples were analyzed using ion chromatography (Metrom Eco_IC instrument). Spatial distribution patterns were interpolated using inverse distance weighted (IDW) and spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s Index- MI) tools in ArcMap 10.2.2 software. Results indicated that the mean fluoride levels of the collected water samples of Ambagaswewa and Wewalketiya areas were 1.37 ± 0.66 mg/L and 1.26 ± 0.65 mg/L respectively and those results exceeded the Sri Lankan drinking water standards (SLS 614: 2013) (1.0 mg/L) but the mean fluoride levels relevant to Naminigama area (0.82 ± 0.59 mg/L) complied with the SLS standards. Further 80% of the samples in Ambagaswewa GND and 95% of samples in Wewalketiya GND were highly contaminated with fluorides which were exceeded the SLS standard limits. Significantly higher Fluoride concentration levels were shown in Ambagaswewa GND (P= 0.103) and Wewalketiya GND (P= 0.704) compared to the reference area of the study.As well as fluoride concentration of the reference area was evenly distributed (MI= -0.005) in very low levels compared to the selected hot spots. Fluoride distribution were clustered with higher levels (MI = 0.31) in Wewalketiya GND, and Fluoride levels were evenly distributed with higher levels in Ambagaswewa GND and Naminigama GND with the Moran’s Indices of -0.12 and -0.07 respectively. It can be concluded that fluoride can be one of the risk factors affecting the prevalence of the CKDu. As the people are at a risk with the long-term exposure to the high fluoride concentrations, it is very essential to innovate a proper and affordable drinking water treatment technology for the affected areas and findings of this study can be used as background water quality data in the design process