Academic Publications
My Publications
2023
Sakunthala, KADD; Perera, PLRA; Perera, WPRT; Liyanage, JA; Premaratne, WAPJ
Impact of organic farming practices on toxic metal accumulation in topsoil in paddy areas: A comparative study in Sri Lanka Proceedings Article
In: pp. 32, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bioaccumulation, Organic Farming, paddy soil, Sri Lanka, Toxic Metals
@inproceedings{Sakunthala2023,
title = {Impact of organic farming practices on toxic metal accumulation in topsoil in paddy areas: A comparative study in Sri Lanka},
author = {KADD Sakunthala and PLRA Perera and WPRT Perera and JA Liyanage and WAPJ Premaratne},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377599811_Impact_of_organic_farming_practices_on_toxic_metal_accumulation_in_topsoil_in_paddy_areas_A_comparative_study_in_Sri_Lanka
https://conf.kln.ac.lk/iprc/media/attachments/2024/01/23/abstract-volume-2023.pdf},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-11-24},
volume = {23},
issue = {2023},
pages = {32},
publisher = {International Postgraduate Research Conference (IPRC)},
address = {Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},
organization = {University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},
abstract = {Given the increasing importance of sustainability in agriculture, this study investigateshow organic farming influences soil toxicity, specifically the accumulation of toxic metalsin paddy fields within the Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat area. Collections of paddysoil samples were made both from an organically cultivated field and a chemicallyfertilized field. Twenty composite topsoil samples were collected from each paddy fieldaccording to the random sampling method. Soil quality parameters such as soil pH,conductivity, organic matter, total phosphate, potassium, ammonium nitrogen, and ashcontent were analyzed and toxic metal concentrations(Pb, Cd, As, Ni, and Cr) wereanalyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS). Results indicatethe soil collected from paddy areas treated with chemical fertilizers has high average pH,conductivity, total phosphate content, and potassium content. The ammonium nitrogenand ash content were enhanced in the soil collected from organic land and organiccontent fluctuated slightly between the two areas(p>0.05). Soil samples from the fieldusing chemical fertilizers displayed higher average concentrations of Pb(7.15±1.57mg/kg), As(0.87±0.17 mg/kg), Cr(20.09±4.91 mg/kg), Ni(8.58±2.51 mg/kg) compared tothe organically farmed paddy field. The mean concentrations of the Pb, As, Cr, and Ni inthe soil samples of the organically cultivated field were reported as 2.84±1.06 mg/kg,0.49±0.18 mg/kg, 12.19±3.72 mg/kg, 2.72±1.58 mg/kg respectively. Statistical analysisindicates a significant difference in mean heavy metal concentrations(As, Ni, Cr) betweenorganic and chemically fertilized soil samples(p<0.05). The concentration of Cd in thepaddy soil has not been reported in either of the selected paddy areas. In conclusion, thesustained reduction of chemical fertilizer application over a long-term period maycontribute to the decrease in toxic metal contamination observed in the paddy soil withinorganically cultivated areas. This reduction in contamination subsequently mitigates therisk of the transfer of these toxic metals to the paddy root and grain. },
keywords = {Bioaccumulation, Organic Farming, paddy soil, Sri Lanka, Toxic Metals},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
Given the increasing importance of sustainability in agriculture, this study investigateshow organic farming influences soil toxicity, specifically the accumulation of toxic metalsin paddy fields within the Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat area. Collections of paddysoil samples were made both from an organically cultivated field and a chemicallyfertilized field. Twenty composite topsoil samples were collected from each paddy fieldaccording to the random sampling method. Soil quality parameters such as soil pH,conductivity, organic matter, total phosphate, potassium, ammonium nitrogen, and ashcontent were analyzed and toxic metal concentrations(Pb, Cd, As, Ni, and Cr) wereanalyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS). Results indicatethe soil collected from paddy areas treated with chemical fertilizers has high average pH,conductivity, total phosphate content, and potassium content. The ammonium nitrogenand ash content were enhanced in the soil collected from organic land and organiccontent fluctuated slightly between the two areas(p>0.05). Soil samples from the fieldusing chemical fertilizers displayed higher average concentrations of Pb(7.15±1.57mg/kg), As(0.87±0.17 mg/kg), Cr(20.09±4.91 mg/kg), Ni(8.58±2.51 mg/kg) compared tothe organically farmed paddy field. The mean concentrations of the Pb, As, Cr, and Ni inthe soil samples of the organically cultivated field were reported as 2.84±1.06 mg/kg,0.49±0.18 mg/kg, 12.19±3.72 mg/kg, 2.72±1.58 mg/kg respectively. Statistical analysisindicates a significant difference in mean heavy metal concentrations(As, Ni, Cr) betweenorganic and chemically fertilized soil samples(p<0.05). The concentration of Cd in thepaddy soil has not been reported in either of the selected paddy areas. In conclusion, thesustained reduction of chemical fertilizer application over a long-term period maycontribute to the decrease in toxic metal contamination observed in the paddy soil withinorganically cultivated areas. This reduction in contamination subsequently mitigates therisk of the transfer of these toxic metals to the paddy root and grain.
Perera, PLRA; Perera, WPRT; Liyanage, UP; Premaratne, WAPJ; Liyanage, JA
Distribution of heavy metals across different tissue types in Etroplus suratensis from Mahakanadarawa reservoir: Investigating dietary implications for CKDu in Sri Lanka Proceedings Article
In: International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS), pp. 54, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023.
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bioaccumulation, CKDu, Etroplus suratensis, Heavy metals, Inland Fish
@inproceedings{Perera2023,
title = {Distribution of heavy metals across different tissue types in Etroplus suratensis from Mahakanadarawa reservoir: Investigating dietary implications for CKDu in Sri Lanka},
author = {PLRA Perera and WPRT Perera and UP Liyanage and WAPJ Premaratne and JA Liyanage},
url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374847754_Distribution_of_heavy_metals_across_different_tissue_types_in_Etroplus_suratensis_from_Mahakanadarawa_reservoir_Investigating_dietary_implications_for_CKDu_in_Sri_Lanka},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-10-13},
urldate = {2023-10-13},
booktitle = {International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS)},
number = {54},
pages = {54},
publisher = {University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka},
abstract = {The escalating cases of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) in rural communities, especially in the Maradankulama-Mahakandrawa region of Sri Lanka, stipulate a critical public health investigation. Given the significant dietary reliance on Etroplus suratensis due to geographical and logistical complexities in obtaining sea fish, bioaccumulated toxic metals in this species can be a potential risk factor for CKDu. This study investigated the heavy metal content (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni) in the gut, gill, and muscle tissues of E. suratensis sourced from the Mahakanadarawa Reservoir in the CKDu endemic Mihintale region. To obtain representative E. suratensis samples from across the Mahakanadarawa Reservoir, fish were collected using a randomized sampling method. Multiple random points within the reservoir were predetermined and fish were caught at each location by local fishermen using appropriate techniques. The captured fish were identified as E. suratensis and 36 samples were separated as gut, gills, and muscles for the toxic metal analysis. The heavy metal content (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni) in these samples was then analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To thoroughly compare metal concentrations across tissue types, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test was utilized followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD tests. The non-parametric ANOVA assessed statistically significant differences in metal levels between muscle, gill, and gut tissues. Post-hoc Tukey tests then enabled pairwise comparisons between each tissue type to determine which specific metal concentrations differed. There were significant differences between tissue types for concentrations of As, Cd, Cr and Ni (p<0.001). Post-hoc Tukey tests showed As, Cr, Cd and Ni were significantly higher in gut compared to that of muscle and gill tissues (p<0.05), with the order Gut>Gill>Muscle. Pb did not deviate significantly across tissues, however, mean Pb concentrations exceeded the WHO/FAO permissible limits for dietary intake in all tissues, while Cd remained within acceptable levels. Compared to gut and gills, muscle contained relatively low concentrations of As (0.01±0.01) mg/kg, Cr (0.22±0.03) mg/kg, Pb (0.508±0.36) mg/kg, and Cd (0.015±0.13) mg/kg and Ni (0.06±0.01) Although edible muscle in some samples met regulatory limits, frequent consumption of E. suratensis from this CKDu endemic area may pose a health risk, warranting further study on geographical and seasonal variation. Ultimately, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that bioaccumulation of toxic metals in fish poses significant CKDu risk factors.},
keywords = {Bioaccumulation, CKDu, Etroplus suratensis, Heavy metals, Inland Fish},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {inproceedings}
}
The escalating cases of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) in rural communities, especially in the Maradankulama-Mahakandrawa region of Sri Lanka, stipulate a critical public health investigation. Given the significant dietary reliance on Etroplus suratensis due to geographical and logistical complexities in obtaining sea fish, bioaccumulated toxic metals in this species can be a potential risk factor for CKDu. This study investigated the heavy metal content (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni) in the gut, gill, and muscle tissues of E. suratensis sourced from the Mahakanadarawa Reservoir in the CKDu endemic Mihintale region. To obtain representative E. suratensis samples from across the Mahakanadarawa Reservoir, fish were collected using a randomized sampling method. Multiple random points within the reservoir were predetermined and fish were caught at each location by local fishermen using appropriate techniques. The captured fish were identified as E. suratensis and 36 samples were separated as gut, gills, and muscles for the toxic metal analysis. The heavy metal content (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni) in these samples was then analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To thoroughly compare metal concentrations across tissue types, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test was utilized followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD tests. The non-parametric ANOVA assessed statistically significant differences in metal levels between muscle, gill, and gut tissues. Post-hoc Tukey tests then enabled pairwise comparisons between each tissue type to determine which specific metal concentrations differed. There were significant differences between tissue types for concentrations of As, Cd, Cr and Ni (p<0.001). Post-hoc Tukey tests showed As, Cr, Cd and Ni were significantly higher in gut compared to that of muscle and gill tissues (p<0.05), with the order Gut>Gill>Muscle. Pb did not deviate significantly across tissues, however, mean Pb concentrations exceeded the WHO/FAO permissible limits for dietary intake in all tissues, while Cd remained within acceptable levels. Compared to gut and gills, muscle contained relatively low concentrations of As (0.01±0.01) mg/kg, Cr (0.22±0.03) mg/kg, Pb (0.508±0.36) mg/kg, and Cd (0.015±0.13) mg/kg and Ni (0.06±0.01) Although edible muscle in some samples met regulatory limits, frequent consumption of E. suratensis from this CKDu endemic area may pose a health risk, warranting further study on geographical and seasonal variation. Ultimately, this study contributes to the growing body of evidence suggesting that bioaccumulation of toxic metals in fish poses significant CKDu risk factors.