Rajith Perera

@inproceedings{Sakunthala2024,

title = {Statistical Assessment of Toxic Metal Concentrations and its Correlations in Paddy Soils: Comparing the Impact of Chemical and Organic Agricultural Practices in Sri Lanka},

author = {KADD Sakunthala and PLRA Perera and WPRT Perera and JA Liyanage and WAPJ Premaratne},

url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379311099_Statistical_Assessment_of_Toxic_Metal_Concentrations_and_its_Correlations_in_Paddy_Soils_Comparing_the_Impact_of_Chemical_and_Organic_Agricultural_Practices_in_Sri_Lanka



},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-03-01},

volume = {2},

issue = {2024},

pages = {61},

publisher = {International Research Symposium on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Indigenous Knowledge Systems - IRSIKS },

address = {Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka},

organization = {Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine},

abstract = {Background / Originality Evaluating the impact of chemical and organic farming practices on soil toxic metal concentrations is crucial for soil profiling in agroecosystems. Objective This study analyzed heavy metal concentrations within soil samples obtained from paddy fields in the Anamaduwa Divisional Secretariat region. Methodology Paddy soil samples were collected from a chemically fertilized field and an organically cultivated field. Employing a random stratified sampling methodology, twenty composite topsoil specimens were gathered from each paddy field. Toxic heavy metal (Cr, Ni, Pb, As, Cd) concentrations were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The resultant data were further analyzed using the ANOVA test followed by Tukey's pairwise comparison to determine statistically significant variations among the parameters. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis was applied. Findings Soil samples from chemically fertilized fields exhibited notably elevated concentrations of Cr (20.09±4.91 mg/kg), Ni (8.58±2.51 mg/kg), Pb (7.15±1.57 mg/kg), and As (0.87±0.17 mg/kg). In contrast, the soil samples from fields that were organically farmed revealed significantly lower mean concentrations of Cr (12.19±3.72 mg/kg), Ni (2.72±1.58 mg/kg), Pb (2.84±1.06 mg/kg), and As (0.49±0.18 mg/kg). The ANOVA test revealed significant differences in pH, conductivity, ammonium nitrogen, potassium, and ash content, and a notable variance in the mean concentrations of Ni, As, and Cr in organic versus chemically fertilized soils (p<0.05) while organic matter and phosphate content showed no significant differences. In the chemically fertilized field, Pearson correlations indicated a strong positive correlation between potassium and heavy metals (Pb, Cr, As, Ni) (r>0.5, p<0.05). Particularly, As showed strong correlation with Cr (r=0.912, p<0.01) and Ni (r=0.862, p<0.01), while the organic field displayed moderate correlations between As and both Cr (r=0.703, p<0.05) and Ni (r=0.779, p<0.01). Cr and Ni showed significant positive correlations (r=0.911, p<0.01) in both fields. Conclusions This suggests that organic farming practices significantly affect soil heavy metal content, leading to reduced levels of these metals. Furthermore, the positive correlations observed between potassium and heavy metals as well as among heavy metals itself emphasize a common origin among them.},

keywords = {Fertilizer, Organic Farming, paddy soil, Toxic Metals},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {inproceedings}

}

@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}

}