International conference on Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 (FCT 2020)

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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.