Browsing by Author "Shanthamareen, M."

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Efficacy of Phyllanthus emblica bark powder in reducing total hardness of domestic well water in Jaffna peninsula, Sri Lanka
(Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, 2018 Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2018) Shanthamareen, M.; Wijeyaratne, W. M. D. N.
Jaffna peninsula is underlain by thick Miocene limestone deposits and these geological formations result in increased hardness of ground water. Increased hardness of drinking water can result in severe health effects including higher risk for urinary and salivary stone formation, urolithiasis and chronic kidney disease. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of the Phyllanthus emblica bark powder to be used as a home remedial method to reduce total hardness of drinking water. Water samples with three replicates were collected from 15 domestic wells from Kondavil area, Jaffna peninsula. The total hardness (TH), pH, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electrical Conductivity (EC), salinity, nitrate-N and Total Phosphorous (TP) concentration of these water samples were measured using standard methods (APHA). The water quality parameters were compared with the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) drinking water standards . The pH and TP concentration of wells were within the SLSI drinking water standards. However, all the tested wells exceeded the total hardness concentration (250 mg/L) and 60% of the wells exceeded total nitrate (11.3 mg/L) concentrations established by SLSI for safe drinking water. The mean TH of the wells ranged from 454.8 to 784.4 mg/L CaCO3 and the mean nitrate-N ranged from 0.82 - 20.99 mg/L respectively. Well water samples were then filtered in a column filter using Phyllanthus emblica bark powder and the total hardness and total nitrate of the filtered water samples were measured . The variation of these parameters before and after filtration were compared by paired t test using MINITAB 14 software . After filtration through the Phyllanthus emblica bark powder, a significant reduction (paired t-test, p<0.05) of TH was observed with a 9 . 50% reduction . However, filtration through Phyllanthus emblica bark powder increased the nitrate concentration (4.89%). Therefore, it was concluded that Phyllanthus emblica bark powder could be used as a remedial method to reduce hardness in drinking water .
Efficacy of powdered mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna in reducing the nitrate - N and total hardness of the domestic well water in Kondavil area, Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka
(Proceedings Of The Annual Sessions Of The Institute Of Biology, 2017) Shanthamareen, M.; Wijerathne, W.M.D.N.
In Jaffna peninsula, groundwater is the primary water source for domestic agricultural and industrial purposes. However, increased water hardness and contamination by nitrates are two major water quality problems prevalent in this area, The present study was conducted with the aim of assessing the efficacy of powdered mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna (Kumbuk) to improve the water quality in terms of nitrate concentration and total hardness. Water samples with three replicates were collected from randomly selected 15 domestic wells located in the Kondavil area, Jaffna peninsula. The nitrate-N, and total hardness (TH) were measured using standard analytical methods. The water samples were filtered in a column filter using powdered mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna and these water quality parameters were measured in filtered water samples as well. The water quality parameters were compared with the standard water quality parameters for safe drinking water established by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). The variation of water quality parameters before and after filtration were compared by paired t test using MINITAB 14 software. The mean TH of the sampled wells ranged from 644.15 mg/L CaC03 and The mean nitrate N ranged from 12.07 mg/L. All the the wells exceeded the SLSI standard (250 mg/ L) for TH and 60 % of the wells exceeded the SLSI standard (11.3 mg/ L) for nitrate. After filtration through the powdered mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna, the TH and nitrate N were reduced significantly (Paired t test, 0.05). The mean TH and nitrate N of the filtered water were 635.8 mg/L CaC03 and 9.49 mg/L respectively. Percentage reduction of TH and nitrates after filtration were 1.3 % and 21.36% respectively. Therefore, results of the present study showed that Terminalia arjuna leaf powder can be used as an effective low cost household treatment method to improve the water quality in terms of TH and nitrate N.
Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna mature leaf powder and Phyllanthus emblica bark powder to reduce nitrate: N and total hardness in groundwater in karstified limestone aquifer
(Applied Water Science, 2020) Wijeyaratne, W. M. D. N.; Shanthamareen, M.
Groundwater is a vital resource in the northern region of Sri Lanka, as it is the only water resource used for domestic, agricultural and industrial activities in that area. However, due to excessive usage of synthetic fertilizer, the groundwater in this part of the country is highly contaminated with nitrates. In addition, due to the effect of underlain limestone aquifer, water hardness is also high. The present study aimed to study the effect of filtration through Terminalia arjuna mature leaf powder and Phyllanthus emblica bark powder on reducing nitrate concentration and hardness. The results indicated that 21.4% reduction of nitrate concentration can be achieved by filtration through Terminalia arjuna mature leaf powder and 9.3% reduction of total hardness by filtration through Phyllanthus emblica bark powder. Therefore, further research is recommended on testing the potential and side effects of using Terminalia arjuna mature leaf powder and Phyllanthus emblica bark powder as a combined home remedial treatment technique for treating nitrate contaminated hard water.
Investigation of water consumption pattern in University of Kelaniya
(Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Lekamge, M.L.D.; Dayananda, M.D.N.R.; Shanthamareen, M.; Weerasinghe, V.P.A.
Water Consumption is an environmentally and socially concerned aspect. Close observation of the water consumption pattern, help to apply water conservation measures effectively. The main objective of this study is to investigate the water consumption pattern in University of Kelaniya during last thirty-one (31) months from January 2014 to September 2016. During this period, university has received four water bills each month. Water bills and student intake details were collected from the administration division. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. This study also investigated students’ attitudinal changes in water consumption after the implementation of the polythene prevention policy. A questionnaire survey was conducted among randomly selected 200 students in the Faculty of Science, in order to assess the water consumption pattern in Science Faculty canteen before and after the implementation of polythene prevention policy. The data obtained from administration division shows and increase in annual water consumption. The average monthly water consumption is 18,551.32m3 and average monthly cost for water consumption is 821,870.90 LKR. The average daily water consumption per head in the University is 0.06342 m3 (63.42L). According to the WHO (World Health Organization) standards about 20 L water per capita per day should be assured to maintain basic personal and food hygiene. The highest water consumption has observed in the canteens and hostels whereas the lecture halls have the lowest water consumption. According to the results the monthly water consumption and monthly total charge shows an increasing trend with fluctuations. From January to February there is a sharp increase of the monthly water consumption as a result of the student intake. A peak water consumption is observed during the March – April in each year. As a tropical country Sri Lanka receives high amount of solar radiation during that period. Therefore, the water consumption increases due to the temperature increase. The depressions in the curve is observed in the vacation and study leave periods. University of Kelaniya has implemented a polythene prevention policy beginning from the 1st of September, 2016. As a result of that the use of polythene and lunch sheets have been banned within the university canteens. The highest percentage of students shifted from university dinner packets to outside is observed during the dinner time is 20.5%. The highest percentage of students shifted from lunch packets to plates is observed during the lunch time is 43%. This might be affected to the water consumption due to washing plates. This is a preliminary study to investigate the water consumption pattern in the University of Kelaniya. There should be a well maintained database for identifying water consumption and to have separate water meters for each Faculty to apply water conservation methods according to the cleaner production policy. It will help to reduce the water consumption in each Faculty. Using those information water conservation strategies such as introduction of push taps, sensory taps and rain water harvesting system can be implemented in order to save more water.