Browsing by Author "Jayalath, K.G."

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Assessment atmospheric metal pollution in Battaramulla using high-volume air sampler and Hyophila involuta biomonitor
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2014) Dilhani, G.R.R.; Deeyamulla, M.P.; Jayalath, K.G.
Atmospheric deposition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) around two metropolitan areas in the western province of Sri Lanka, using moss (Hyophila involuta) as a biomonitor
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2015) Jayalath, K.G.; Deeyamulla, M.P.; de Silva, R.C.L.
Comparizon of atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in Kandy and Puttalam areas in Sri Lanka using moss (Hyophila involuta) as a bioindicator: short term study
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2013) Jayalath, K.G.; Deeyamulla, M.P.; de Silva, R.C.L.
Identification of wild plants to phytoextract chromium from polluted terrestrial environments
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2013) Liyanage, A.L.L.A.; Jayalath, K.G.; de Silva, R.C.L.; Deeyamulla, M.P.
Phyto-extraction of Chromium from Polluted Terrestrial Environments by Talinum triangulare (Ceylon Spinach) and the effect of External Chelators on the Chromium Extraction Potential
(Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, 2020) Jayalath, K.G.; De Silva, R.C.L.; Deeyamulla, M.P.
The study was carried out to investigate the potential of Talinum triangulare (Ceylon Spinach) to remediate Cr contaminated soil under greenhouse conditions. In primary studies, T. triangulare showed significant resistance to Cr toxicity, however the amount of metal extracted was not sufficient enough to consider it as a potential phyto-extractor. Further pot experiments were conducted to find out the effect on Cr accumulation using EDTA as chelant under 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 mmol kg-1 chelator concentrations. EDTA had virtually a significant effect on uptake of the metals by the plant and elevated Cr concentrations in plant organs as compared with the control. Optimum phytoextraction was observed when 2.0 mmol kg−1 EDTA was added with relatively high biomass production of plant species. EDTA modifies the uptake and the translocation of Cr by plants but the results concerning the uptake and the accumulation depend on the available Cr concentration in soil.
Phytoremediation potential of Talinum triangulare (Ceylon spinach) towards Cr in different soils
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Jayalath, K.G.; De Silva, R.C.L.; Deeyamulla, M.P.
Phytoremediation has emerged as a plant-based and cost-effective alternative to remediate heavy metal contaminated soils. Although this technique is widely known, a significant study has not been reported yet to find out a potentially capable plant to clean Cr contaminated soils. In studies carried out by our group, six plant species (Vernonia cinerea, Tridax procumbens, Sphagnaticola trilobata, Talinum triangulare, Clitoria ternatea and Vernonia zeylanica) have been tested under Cr contaminated conditions and identified T. triangulare (Ceylon spinach) with comparatively higher tolerance to Cr with relatively higher biomass than other plants under contaminated conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the phytoremediation potential of T. triangulare towards Cr for various soil types under Cr contamination conditions. Pot experiments were carried out using four different types of soils (sand, loamy sand, clay and laterite) under Cr contamination conditions (treatments with 200 and 300 mg of Cr/ kg dry soil). Plants were harvested at 60 days of growth and Cr uptake by plant shoot and root were separately analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The Cr uptake by T. triangulare under different soil types with maximum contaminated conditions of Cr (300 mg/kg) were analysed (ANOVA, p < 0.05) and showed no significant difference between loamy sand and sandy soil with the mean value of 109.30 (±18.45) mg kg- 1 and 136.00 (±34.70) mg kg-1 respectively and also no significant difference between Laterite and Clay with the mean value of 36.26 (±6.12) mg kg-1 and 43.44 (±4.29) mg kg-1 respectively. The results of this study indicated that, Cr uptake capacity and the tolerability of T. triangulare significantly change with soil types. Even though T. triangulare shows to be capable of habituation in different soils, its Cr uptake capacities varies significantly. T. triangulare shows potential of being introduced to different terrestrial environments to remediate Cr. However, future study of the plant in different soil environments is suggested.
Pilot survey to monitor atmospheric deposition of heavy metals in moss species (Hyophila involuta) in Kurunegala using two different digestion methods
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Jayalath, K.G.; Deeyamulla, M.P.; de Silva, R.C.L.
Dry ashing digestion is a traditional digestion method used during the sample preparation step in moss biomonitoring studies in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study is to compare dry ashing procedure with the rapid and efficient microwave digestion procedure to validate previous findings. In February 2013, moss species (Hyophila involuta) were collected from Kurunegala and the concentrations of five heavy metals copper, lead, nickel, chromium and cadmium were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometer followed by two different digestion procedures. The atmospheric deposition of heavy metal concentration in Kurunegala is expressed as dry weight of moss and the ranges of heavy metals were Cu (18.39 μg/g – 23.39 μg/g), Pb (13.66 μg/g – 19.79 μg/g), Ni (8.62 μg/g – 13.65 μg/g), Cr (19.18 μg/g – 30.36 μg/g) and Cd (0.72 μg/g – 0.78 μg/g) in microwave digestion and Cu (14.43 μg/g – 19.43 μg/g), Pb (10.00 μg/g – 15.54 μg/g), Ni (11.00 μg/g – 16.68 μg/g), Cr (16.49 μg/g – 29.03 μg/g) and Cd (0.70 μg/g – 0.80 μg/g) in ash digestion respectively. The metal content of Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd shows higher values in microwave digestion whereas Ni shows higher concentrations in ashing procedure. However, the comparison of two digestion methods (ANOVA, p < 0.05) showed no statistically significant differences in results. The recovery percentages of five heavy metals in two digestion methods were Cu (97.6 ± 0.4 %), Pb (95.9 ± 1.3 %), Ni (97.6 ± 1.6 %), Cr (98.0 ± 1.2 %) and Cd (95.3 ± 4.1 %) in microwave digestion method and Cu (93.1 ± 2.5 %), Pb (92.0 ± 2.7 %), Ni (99.6 ± 2.1%), Cr (97.3 ±1.7 %) and Cd ( 96.8 ± 2.8 %) in ash digestion method separately. The relative standard deviation of readings was less in microwave digestion and further, time required for dry ashing digestion and microwave digestion were 4 hours and 45 minutes respectively. Therefore ashing digestion method is more time consuming than the microwave digestion method without any advantages in terms of digestion efficiency.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water bodies and sediment around kerawalapitiya and kelanitissa power plants of sri lanka - preliminary study
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Doole, F.T.; Jayalath, K.G.; Subramanium, S.S.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds composed of two or more aromatic benzene rings. PAHs are produced due to incomplete combustion of fossil fuels; such as coal, oil and due to pyrolytic processes; such as forest fires and volcanic activities. There are hundreds of PAHs in the environment, among them; sixteen PAHs have been classified as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Due to the harmful effect of PAHs towards living beings, studies have been conducted around water bodies in different parts of the world. This study aims to determine the type and concentration of PAHs in water bodies and sediment near two power plants of Sri Lanka. Kerawalapitiya Power Station (KW) and AES Kelanitissa Power Station (KL) are diesel fuel fired combined cycle power stations, which might have an influence on accumulation of PAHs in water and sediment around these power stations. During the dry season of the year surface water samples were collected from Hamilton Cannel (KW) and Sebasthian Cannel (KL), extracted using dichloromethane and analyzed using HPLC. PAHs from sediment samples were extracted using ultra sonicator and analyzed using HPLC. As the reference site, water and sediment samples were collected from a freshwater spring in Bandarawela. The study shows the presence of low molecular weight PAHs in water samples and most of the high molecular weight PAHs in sediments. Naphthalene, acenapthene and fluorene are the major PAHs present in the water and naphthalene, acenapthene, fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene are the major PAHs present in the sediments. The total PAH concentration in surface water ranges from 0.38 – 1.89 μg/L in KL site whereas, it ranges from 0.40 – 2.21 μg/L in KW site. The preliminary study indicates the occurrence of PAHs in significant amounts around the two power plants, which is needed to be investigated further.
The role of washing of moss samples in analysis of heavy metal concentrations in moss biomonitoring studies
(Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, 2013) Jayalath, K.G.; Deeyamulla, M.P.; de Silva, R.C.L.