bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem Services of Smallholder Rubber Cultivation: A Case Study in Moneragala District in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gunarathne P.K.K.S.  , Tennakoon T.M.S.P.K.  , Edirisinghe J.C.
Published: June 2022

Any type of positive, direct or indirect benefits which are provided free to human well-being is considered as an Ecosystem Service (ESS). Although a land of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) cultivation is a man-made forest, it provides us with an ESS. This study was carried out to assess the Smallholders’ Perception on ESS of the Smallholder Rubber Cultivation (SPESSSRC) in Moneregala District. Thus, this study was aimed to find the perception of the Rubber Smallholders (RSs) on the ESS of rubber cultivation and to identify the factors affecting their perception. A questionnaire survey was carried out for the study in 2019, and the sample of RSs was selected with stratified random sampling. The study covered 222 RSs in eight rubber growing Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Moneragala District. Twenty-five items were developed to measure the SPESSSRC namely; Provisioning Services (PS), Regulating Services (RS), Cultural Services (CS) and Supporting Services (SS) provided by the ESS. A five point modified Likert-type scale was used to measure the extent of agreement of items and the mean score for each item was derived. Then the mean perception score of respondents was calculated and their key socio-economic characteristics were measured. Perception of the respondents was categorized as the least, moderate and the most favourable level by confidence interval method. Descriptive method and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis were used in data analysis. Items used to measure SPESSSRC were reliable (Cronbach alpha values>0.7). The overall perception level of RSs towards SPESSSRC was under the most favourable level. About 54% of RSs in this study area considered that SPESSSRC as the most favourable, while 30% as favourable and 16% as the least favourable level. The mean score of overall SPESSSRC was 3.77. The highest mean score was recorded with the PS (3.81), while the lowest (3.73) was recorded with the CS. The mean scores of RS and SS were 3.78 and 3.75, respectively. The level of education (r=0.4570), age (r=0.7650), the experience in farming (r=0.8790) and rubber farming (r=0.8870), the extent of rubber farming (r=0.6987), training programmes participated (r=0.6370) and income from rubber farming (r=0.7370) were significantly correlated with SPESSSRC at 0.05 significance level, while gender and the type of job engagement have not shown a significant relationship with perception. Accordingly, perceived perception of RSs explained that rubber cultivation possess ESS.

 Keywords: Ecosystem service, Rubber cultivation, Smallholders
A Review on the Usage of Main Secondary Metabolites of Crocus sativus in Cancer Treatments
Authors: Sunderalingam S.  , Buddhapriya A.N.
Published: June 2022

Saffron is the world’s second most costly spice, with numerous advantages of culinary, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and medical fields. There is an inadequate awareness of how Crocus sativus L. (Family Iridaceae) which produces the spice saffron from the filaments that grow inside the flower, can possibly treat cancer. Since, cancers are regarded as a devastating disease in today's world, anticancer and antioxidant properties of secondary metabolites available in saffron will be highly invaluable. The present review focuses on investigating on the role of crocin, crocetin and safranal in cancer treatments, which are the main secondary metabolites of C. sativus, and evaluating the various methods of extracting, isolating and analysing them. The review conducted using subjective indexed journal articles that were published over the past ten years. Out of the available data, it found that crocin would be quite beneficial in healing cancer without revealing any adverse effects. Crocin showed immense potential in curing a wide range of cancer types, mainly prostate and lung cancers, by eliminating cancer cells through apoptosis and inhibiting tumour invasion. There were a limited number of researches conducted using crocetin and safranal. However, they will approve for cancer treatments shortly. Crocetin was widely employed as a chemo-preventive and anti-inflammatory medication for pancreatic and breast cancer treatments. It has recently been utilized only for treatments of few types of cancers. Only one publication recorded in the recent ten years, as the usage of safranal in cancer treatment, which was against leukaemia. Moreover, secondary metabolite analysis techniques including spectrophotometry and chromatography utilized effectively, whereas predominantly improved extraction techniques including ultrasound-assisted extraction, emulsion liquid membrane, high hydrostatic pressure extraction. The analysis affirmed that, microwave[1]assisted extraction (80±1%) followed by low-pressure liquid chromatography (99.04±0.01%) showed optimum recovery of crocin. Whereas for safranal, microwave-assisted extraction (15.9±0.1%) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry preferred methods. The analysed data will be useful for future studies that focus on the analysis of saffron secondary metabolites and potentiality in cancer treatments to provide the researchers with a wide range of alternatives for carrying out the processes of curing cancers.

Keywords: Anticancer, Crocin, Crocetin, Safranal, Saffron
Impact of Contemplative Landscape Characteristics on Martial Art Practices: A Study with Reference to Karate Practitioners
Authors: Madhushani P.K.D.A.
Published: June 2022

Being merged with the natural environment contributes positively to mental health. Practicing physical activities in outdoor space makes a high impact on positiveness in the human mind as well as physical well-being due to the impact of the senses of the space. The study focuses how martial art practitioners can benefit contemplative characteristic of landscape by using spaces for practices. The study was conducted with the participant of Karate practitioners of the University of Moratuwa. It mainly concerns the sense of space, Mind relaxation, ability to concentrate, feel the freedom of space, the adeptness of learning, and the ability to tolerate. Visual perspectives are considered as the main criteria of the landscape character of the space. Research method surveys were carried out along two main streams as literature review survey and case study survey. Literature review includes research related to the connectivity among the natural landscapes, human mind, and martial arts. The case study survey was based on experiences in different practicing environments, and interview with professionals. Due to the current health situation of the country, three case studies were selected by concerning landscape characteristics of spaces that have been used as training environments for previous Karate sessions. The questionnaire explores the way the practitioners experienced and sensed the setting of each space. The landscape involvement, availability of natural landscape forms and natural sceneries of each case study is varied from one to the other. As a martial artist is highly sensitive to the balance of body, the floor surface is also concerned as a sensible factor. Data were collected through two questionnaires and one online face to face interview with a professional Karate instructor. The first questionnaire was filled by 54 participants in the Karate team, and the second one was filled by 35 practitioners who have used selected three training environments. Data collection explored both importance of Karate practices in the practitioner’s life, and the impact of changes of the training space in the mental situation of the practitioner. Results indicated positive results in keeping a good mental condition while using spaces with more possibility of providing contemplation. According to the obtained results, using an outdoor space with more contemplative characters may benefit by generating better outcome of Karate practices as well as for successful day[1]to-day.

Keywords: Mental and physical health, Martial arts, Contemplation, Form characteristic of landscape.
First Report of Leaf Spot Disease of Philodendron hastatum, an Ornamental Plant in Sri Lanka
Authors: Nawananda P.H.R.S.  , Mahendranathan C.  , Emmanuel C.J.
Published: June 2022

Ornamental plants are an important component of the environment as it creates a living beauty of nature that enhances the quality of human life and represents an important economic group in the ornamental plant industry. The most common ornamental trees and shrubs are hosts to one or more pathogens that affect the leaves. In addition, leaf spots are considered as more aesthetic than life threatening problems, although they cause premature leaf drop. Hence, the main objective of this study was to investigate the newly emerging leaf sport diseases of the ornamental plants in Sri Lanka. Also, this study was aimed to isolate and identify the fungal pathogens from one of the locally available ornamental plants, Philodendron hastatum. According to the results, the spots on the leaves of P. hastatum were brownish, but tan or black and 3 to 5 mm diameter lesions were shown. The pathogen with tapered and curved (falcate) conidia, identified as Fusarium species. The results, obtained from morphological and molecular data, fungal isolate of this leaf spot was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Similarity of sequences for fungus culture is 99% and the Accession Number is AB369259, based on the BLAST search results with authenticated sequences. The growth rate of the pathogen was gradually increased from the 1st day to 7th day of the incubation period and the maximum diameter was shown as 8.68±0.27 cm. Koch’s postulates was performed in healthy P. hastatum leaves and resulted in the initiation of symptom which was 7 days after the inoculation, with brown color and circular shaped necrotic lesions typical to Phylodendron leaf spot observed in originally used P. hastatum leaves, collected for isolation of pathogen. This is considered as the first report of Philodendron leaf spot, caused by Fusarium oxysporum, in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Philodendron hastatum, Leaf spot, Fusarium oxysporum, Identification, Pathogenicity
Controlling Water Quality through a Biofloc Technology (BFT) in Aquaculture Production Systems
Authors: Maduka K.L.W.T.  , Epasinghe E.D.M.  , Idroos F.S.
Published: June 2022

Information on dynamics of water quality is essential in fish rearing. The use of biofloc technology (BFT) improves fish production in regions with low water availability. This study was carried out to evaluate the use of locally available carbon sources to control total ammonia nitrogen and other water quality parameters in aquaculture production system. Completely randomized design was carried out with three different carbon sources (wheat flour, rice bran and molasses) and four different treatments [wheat flour (WF), rice bran (RB), molasses (MOL) and rice bran and molasses mix in 1:1 ratio (MIX)]. Each treatments had three replicates. Control tanks were maintained excluding additional carbon sources. Carbon to Nitrogen ratio was 10:1.The experiment was carried out in 80 L, fiber glass (15) tanks with indoor conditions for 60 days. A number of 30 male guppy (Poecilia reticulate) individuals were stocked in each tank (mean weight 0.1481±0.0500 g and standard length 1.8±0.2 cm). Water quality parameters; pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature were measured on daily basis. Total ammonium nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate were measured on weekly basis. The total ammonium nitrogen in the control (1.1746±0.1709 mg/L) was significantly higher than the biofloc treatments (p<0.05). Control (0.0897±0.0374) and wheat flour treatment (0.0939±0.0152) showed a significantly higher nitrite values than other BFT treatments (p<0.05). Nitrate in control (1.1871±0.1331) and wheat flour (0.3779±0.1044) treatment showed a significantly high values than other BFT treatments (p<0.05). DO, pH and temperature variation was similar among the BFT groups (p>0.05). Overall results indicated that there is a significant effect which led to a paramount balance of standard water quality in aquaculture production system through different carbon sources (ricebran, molasses and ricebran:molasses mix) based biofloc system.
Keywords: Water quality, Carbon sources, Carbon ratio, Total ammonium nitrogen, Aquaculture production systems
Air Quality Improvement during COVID-19 Lockdown in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayasundara J.M.P.D.L.B  , Elangasinghe M.A.
Published: June 2022

This study presents a time series analysis of concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) measured in a Colombo coastline site to determine whether air quality improves in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. A package of data analysis tools that includes dedicated functions for air quality data analysis called “openair” developed on R statistical software is used in this study. When time-series data from 2017 to 2021 are analyzed, a clear reduction in PM2.5 concentration is observed. When the trend of PM2.5 concentration from late 2017 to 2021 is calculated using the Theil-Sen method, it suggests a decrease of PM2.5 concentration at a rate of 10.92 mg/m3per year (CI 8.91-13.18). Colombo is a coastal city that is greatly affected by the southwest monsoon. When monthly pollution rose diagrams were analyzed, a diurnal variation of wind pattern is observed with increasing stormy weather during the southwest monsoon season from May to September, from 2017 to 2021. To exclude the fact that the reduction in pollutant concentration is due to the increase in wind speed during the monsoon season, a cluster analysis technique has been used to separate the effect of dilution of pollutants due to the gusty winds during the monsoon season from non-monsoon seasons. The cluster analysis was performed on the concentration polar plot drawn for late 2017 to 2021, and two clear clusters were identified. Cluster-1 represented data during the monsoon season from May to September, and cluster-2 represented the data during the non-monsoon season. Cluster-1 clearly showed an inverse relationship between wind speed and PM2.5 concentration suggesting the dilution effect of concentration with the increasing wind speed. Cluster-2 clearly showed a directly proportional relationship, implying that pollutants from the city are transported to the site with increasing wind speeds. When trend analysis was performed, both clusters showed a decreasing trend. Results of the study suggest that the increasingly stormy weather during monsoons over the years has reduced the PM2.5 concentration in the study site at a rate of 11.57 mg/m3 per year (CI 9.08-14.55). The reduction in human travel that caused a decrease in traffic-related air pollution over the years has reduced the PM2.5 concentration in the study site at a rate of 7.91mg/m3per year (CI 4.68-11.92).

Keywords: COVID-19, Lockdown, Colombo, PM2.5 concentrations, Polar plot
Examination of Menstrual Waste Disposal Techniques used by the Millennials in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera H.P.N.  , Edirisinghe E.W.R.S.
Published: June 2022

Menstrual waste (MW) disposal practices are not subjected to discussion in many Asian countries and religious beliefs/norms have created misleading perceptions putting females at risk of being stigmatized. Therefore, the disposal techniques used in such countries can harm the environment irrespective of the education levels of the people due to their attempts in hiding the traces of menstrual blood. This paper is mainly aimed at discussing the MW disposal techniques and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) techniques used by the millennials in Sri Lanka. As a secondary objective, this study evaluates whether the MW disposal technique used by the respondent is stressful to her and the effect of education level on it. 52.1% of the Sri Lankan population is female and the current study considered the millennials. Due to the social stigma that comes with menstruation, referrals were used to engage responders and the snowball sampling technique was used. A self-developed questionnaire was distributed and the Pearson's Chi-square Goodness-of-fit and Rank Biserial Correlation were used along with Estimated Population Proportions (EPP). Of the 150 respondents, 52% use burning (open), 18% throw-in routine waste bins, 8.7% throw with proper grading and 8% use toilet pits to dispose of their MW. The remaining respondents used incinerators, washing or dumped/burned waste in open areas such as land, rivers etc. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test indicated that each of the disposal methods was not equally represented by the respondents (χ2(7)=586.903, p=0.0001), with just over half of the respondents using open burning as the method of disposal. Commercial sanitary pads and reusable/washable sanitary pads were the only techniques reported for MHM. The majority of the respondents reported the use of commercial sanitary pads and the EPP was 0.93±0.042. The majority of the respondents reported feeling stressed due to their method of disposal. There was a positive correlation between the status of stress and education level, which was statistically significant (rpb=0.178, p=0.003). Based on the above-said results, burning inorganic materials such as commercial sanitary pads at low temperatures release dioxins that are poisonous and carcinogenic, leaving an impact on both health and the environment. Hence, it is recommended to introduce more environment-friendly absorption materials such as reusable sanitary items made of easily decomposed materials and to implement proper incineration facilities. When considering the negative impact on the environment, educating the Sri Lankan female population on better disposal practices can be identified as a necessity.

Keywords: Menstrual waste, Waste disposal, Millennials, Menstrual hygiene management, Stress
Valuation of Key Freshwater Ecosystem Services: A Case Study in Yagirala Rainforest
Authors: Niroshini D.G.D.T.  , Gunawardena U.A.D.P.  , Fernando S.S.  , Perera P.K.P.
Published: June 2022

Tropical lowland rainforests in Sri Lanka are subjected to degradation due mainly to conversion to other uses and population pressure. Valuation of ecosystem services has become important in terms of conservation of such landscapes. This study intends to estimate economic value of key freshwater aquatic ecosystem services associated with tributary ecosystem in the Yagirala Forest Reserve, a fragmented tropical lowland rainforest in south-west Sri Lanka. Surface water discharged from the tributary and the ornamental fish were identified as main provisioning services and recreation and education were identified as cultural services of the tributary. Physical measurements on freshwater resource and fish fauna were carried out at eleven sampling points along the selected tributary during the rainy season. Water flow was measured at the end point of the tributary, which connects to the main stream using flow rate measuring method. Economic value of water used for agriculture/industrial and potable/domestic use were estimated based on the tariff rates available. Ornamental fish fauna was counted using transects and valued using market prices related to export trade. Cultural services were valued based on visitor data maintained at the Research Centre at Yagirala. Economic value of water available for agricultural activities and industrial purposes were estimated as LKR 39 million and 3 million respectively. Value of water used for domestic purposes was LKR 9 million. Economic value of potential ornamental fish of the tributary was estimated as LKR 41 thousand for three species and considering sustainable extraction. Cultural services were estimated as LKR 14 thousand. The total value of the selected ecosystem services of the tributary for 3 months was estimated as LKR 51 million. The study highlights the importance of combining physical data in the economic valuation. The estimated values could provide justification for the protection of these ecosystems and investments for further value additions.

Keywords: Ecosystem services, Yagirala forest reserve, Economic value, Fresh water
Economic Value of Water Quality Improvement of an Aesthetic Water Body: Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka
Authors: Mudalige S.S.  , Gunawardena U.A.D.P.
Published: June 2022

Kandy Lake is an aesthetic water body and an iconic landmark situated in Kandy District. Many projects and activities have been implemented to improve and restore the lake from its polluted and eutrophic state to normal condition with a considerable cost, but no proper justification are available for such investments. This study intended to value the restoration activities adopting Contingent Valuation Method. According to the pre-identified benefits, three questionnaires were used to collect information from four beneficiary categories identified with a sample size of 136. Values were elicited under four scenarios: improve the water quality to reduce the odor nuisance; to reduce odor and algal blooms; to use the lake for recreational purposes; and to use the lake as a drinking water source. A linear regression model between Willingness to Pay (WTP) value and the socio-economic characters, including monthly income, age, number of dependents, and distance from the household to the lake boundary was established. Results indicate that 84% of respondents perceive that the lake has more indirect values than direct use values such as beautification of the environment, mental relaxation, microclimate moderation. Identified beneficiary categories are “household”, “institutional,” and “mobile” (i.e., people who come to visit the lake) and public supply water users (PSWU). Estimated WTP for the 1st scenario was LKR 239.11 per person per month. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th scenarios got higher percentages of protest answers due to the unacceptability of improvement stages. As the lake has a historical value, the “development of the lake for recreational purposes” scenario was rejected by the respondents. The fourth scenario, “improve the lake water quality to use the lake as a drinking water source” was refused because most respondents did not believe it to be cost-effective and did not like to drink water from the lake even after treatment. The best lake management strategy is maintaining the lake as it is and invest to clean the lake, instead of developing it for recreation or to use as a drinking water source.

Keywords: Contingent valuation method, Kandy lake, Water quality improvement
Second Generation Bioethanol Production: Green Alternative Energy for Future Energy Crisis
Authors: Chandrasiri Y.S.  , Weerasinghe W.M.L.I.  , Madusanka D.A.T.  , Manage P.M.
Published: June 2022

Emerging environmental pollution and depleting fossil fuel resources issues are creating a requirement for more environmentally friendly alternative renewable fuels. In that case bioethanol has gathered much attention as a fuel additive and fuel enhancer. In the current study, corncob and paper waste were used as lignocellulosic biomass and followed the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation via bacterial pathways to produce second generation bioethanol. Both biomasses were pretreated initially using mechanical and chemical pretreatments and they were hydrolysed by two bacterial strains; Bacillus sp. and Norcadiopsis sp. and fermented by Achromobacter sp. which were previously isolated. The bioethanol production was followed by hydrolysing of biomass by Bacillussp. and Norcadiopsis sp. for 72 hours at 37° C and then the fermentation was done using the bacterium Achromobacter sp. for 72 hours at 37° C. Detecting gas trapped in Durham tubes and Solid Phase Micro Extraction coupled with GCMS were used to screen and quantify the ethanol production respectively. The highest ethanol percentage (v/v) was obtained from alkaline pretreated paper waste hydrolysed by the Bacillus sp. (0.734±0.154%) and the lowest ethanol percentage (v/v) was obtained from alkaline pretreated corncob hydrolysed by the Norcadiopsis sp. (0.155±0.154%). Acid pretreated corncobs, alkaline pretreated corncobs, and acid pretreated paper waste which was hydrolysed by Bacillus sp. and fermented by Achromobacter sp. produced ethanol percentages (v/v) of 0.726±0.154%, 0.564±0.154%, and 0.657±0.154% respectively. Acid pretreated corncobs, acid pretreated paper waste, and alkaline pretreated paper waste which was hydrolysed by Norcadiopsissp. and fermented by Achromobacter sp. produced ethanol percentages (v/v) of 0.587±0.154%, 0.599±0.154%, and 0.627±0.154% respectively. Thus, the results of the study revealed that both corncobs and paper waste have high potential for bioethanol production, and paper waste is the best feedstock for second-generation bioethanol production among used biomasses.

Keywords: Bioethanol production, Lignocellulosic biomass, Corncobs, Paper waste
Impact of Relocation on Cultural Landscape around Reservoir Projects in Sri Lanka: A Case Study on Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project
Authors: Kavindya P.L.M.  , Dharmasena S.W.J.H.
Published: June 2022

Sri Lanka is a developing country where hydrology plays an important role in its economic and social growth. Therefore, reservoirs are a principal element of culture and social status of Sri Lankans. Emergence of a reservoir goes along with a community relocation process which eventually causes alterations in the cultural landscape around it. The study discusses about the vast study area of ‘cultural landscape’ and its behavior. This study will mainly identify the existing constraints and tendencies regarding the relocation process in an overall status. Uma Oya multipurpose development project is selected as the exemplary study area considering its visible impacts. This analysis will indicate strategies, theories and methods that can be applied to apprehend the impact of relocation process on the cultural landscape of reservoirs. The research was carried out by conducting the Uma Oya multipurpose development project case study and by defining its cultural landscape and process of relocation. A new theoretical framework is developed in order to assess the set of vulnerable areas of a cultural landscape which are likely to change due to relocation. A questionnaire survey is done in order to assess socio-economic aspects and a GIS data analysis is conducted to analyze the impact on physical aspects. Findings show that the impacts of the cultural landscape fall under both positive and negative categories. It also shows that the previous condition before resettlement and post stages have significant changes, where the previous condition had more socio-economic benefits for the community. These specifically developed theories, areas of assessment and strategies along with the outcomes, can be used for any location with geographical similarities worldwide.

Keywords: Cultural diffusion theory, Cultural landscape, Relocation, Reservoirs, Socio-economic aspects
Influence of Rainfall and Tree Traits on Stem Flow Production of Selected Urban Tropical Trees
Authors: Chandrathilake G.G.T.  , Balasuriya V.G.  , Tanaka N.  , Kamata N.
Published: June 2022

Stem flow is small but important fraction of intercepted precipitation channeled through a tree canopy to the base of the trunk. Given increased impervious covers in cities, quantification of stem flow is necessary for a holistic understanding of hydrology in urban ecosystems. The values of urban treesare increasingly being recognized over the decades and authorities have invested in urban green infrastructure including urban forestry. However, knowledge related to rainfall redistribution by urban trees and reduce storm water are yet to be discovered for topical tree species. Therefore, this study aimed study the effect of canopy traits on stem flow percent and funneling ratios for isolated urban trees in a tropical wet climate. The stem flow of 21 individual trees (7 species with 3 replicates) located in University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka were measured from August 2019 to November 2019 by installing SF collars at diameter at breast height (dbh). The stem flow was measured for 20 individual storm events started with dry canopy condition. Gross precipitation was recorded using an automated weather station located in an open area in University premises. All trees produced stemflow for storm events larger than 4 mm. Felicium decipiens generated the highest stem flow and Pterocarpus marsupium Roxburgh generated the lowest among studied species. While F. decipiens showing negative correlation between rainfall and stem flow others showed positive correlation. In all species, crown volume, dbh and bark thickness showed negative relationship with stem flow. However, individual-tree stem flow percent and funneling ratio values were variable, even for similar rain depths, suggesting that meteorological factors play a role. Our findings highlight the need of careful species selection for urban forestry and importance of infiltration capacity at the base of urban trees when integrating storm water management with vegetation and soils in cities.

Keywords: Stem flow percent, Funneling ratio, Urban hydrology, Urban forestry, Storm water management
Development and Standardization of Toothpaste Incorporating Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract
Authors: Bamunuarachchi B.A.S.U.  , Samarasekara J.K.R.R.  , Dasanayaka P.N.  , Liyanarachchi G.  , Perera H.D.S.M.
Published: June 2022

Dental hygiene is an important aspect to control oral infections such as tooth decay and gum diseases. And in novel dentistry, herbal toothpaste is more acceptable and safer with minimum side effects over synthetic preparation. The current study was envisioned to formulate herbal toothpaste by incorporating the leaf extract of Moringa oleifera and standardizing it as per the Sri Lankan standard requirements. The toothpaste base formulation was optimized and incorporated with M. oleifera leaf extract to develop the Moringa toothpaste. The net mass and extrusive content, consistency, cohesiveness, stability, tube inertness, moisture content, and volatile matter, pH of the Moringa toothpaste were determined to standardize the formulated toothpaste as per the requirement of SLS Standard (275:2014). The anti-bacterial efficacy of Moringa toothpaste was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, an oral pathogenic bacterium. The contents of elements present in the M. oleifera leaf powder that are known to improve oral health including Ca, K, and Mg were also determined. The leaf extract percentage was selected as 5% (w/w) to be incorporated into the optimized toothpaste base formulation. The formulated herbal toothpaste complied with the requirements of SLS Standard (275:2014) indicating acceptable net mass (23.6 g), extrusive content (49.96%), consistency (present), cohesiveness (passed), stability (stable formulation), moisture, and volatile matter content (43.16%) and pH (6.26). In an antibacterial assay, the Moringa toothpaste showed a significant zone of inhibition of 2±0.029 cm indicating its antibacterial potential against S. aureus to provide tooth and oral hygiene and to prevent various dental diseases. The contents of Ca, Mg, and K were found as 0.6%, 1.7%, and 0.14% respectively. The formulation development and standardization of M. oleifera based herbal toothpaste, having the potential to improve oral health is reported for the first time through this study. This new product can be introduced as an innovative approach to incorporate plants like M. oleifera in oral care products.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Evaluation, Moringa toothpaste, Moringa oleifera leaf powder, Standardization
Tagetes lemmonii (Atapethiya) as a Potential Candidate for Phytoremediation of Cadmium in Soils
Authors: Wimalajeewa T.G.A.N.I.N.  , Athukorala A.D.S.N.P.  , Koralegedara N.H.  , Jayasundera A.C.A.
Published: June 2022

Phytoremediation is one of the eco-friendly strategies used to remove heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) from the environment. Tagetes erecta is one such plant used in the phytoremediation of Cd polluted soils. T. lemmonii which belongs to the same genus was used in the current study to investigate its tolerance to cadmium to determine its suitability in phytoremediation of Cd under greenhouse conditions. One-month-old nursery plants were uprooted and transferred into soil containing pots and allowed to establish under greenhouse conditions for one week. Then, soil in pots was treated with 20 mgkg-1, 50 mgkg-1, 100 mgkg-1, and 200 mgkg-1 Cd2+ concentration series with four replicates for each. The control treatments were four pots of plants without Cd2+ added and four pots of soil treated with Cd2+ in each concentration without plants. At two-day intervals, morphological changes such as the height of the plant, and the number of leaves were observed and after 14 days, plants were uprooted and the number of leaves, leaf area, number of rootlets, length of the root, length of the shoot, and total length of the plants were compared among treatments and controls. Cadmium-treated plants, in comparison to the control plants, showed a significant increase in leaf area (p=0.000), fresh weight (p=0.000), dry weight (p=0.000) and a significant decrease in root length (p=0.005 and the number of rootlets (p=0.000) except at 100 and 50 mgkg-1respectively. The increase in plant height (p=0.950), the increase in shoot length (p=0.914), and the decrease in the number of leaves (p=0.322) were not significant. The results suggest that T. lemmonii has a significant survival ability under Cd2+ in soil. Significant total height increments of T. lemmonii plants under Cd2+ treatments suggest that this plant is a hyperaccumulator of Cd2+. Future investigations on anatomical parameters, accumulation, and reduction of Cd2+ in plant tissues and soil respectively will reveal its remediation potential of Cd2+. The results of this study will be utilized to develop phytoremediation strategies for Cd2+ polluted soils using T. lemmonii.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Ornamental plants, Eco-friendly, Hyperaccumulation
Low-cost Treatment Method for Organic Matter and Nutrients in Landfill Leachate-Batch Sorption Experiments
Authors: Perera G.R.Y.  , Dayanthi W.K.C.N.
Published: June 2022

In this study, the ability of a low-cost composite adsorbent prepared using Washed Sea Sand (WSS), Dewatered Alum Sludge (DAS), Zero Valent Iron (ZVI), and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), to treat Organic Compounds in terms of COD, Total Nitrogen (TN) and Total Phosphorus (TP) was investigated. The percentages of the materials used for the composite are DAS 40%, WSS 40%, ZVI 10%, and GAC 10%. The results of the study indicated that the removal efficiency of COD in landfillleachate by the composite adsorbent was 79.93±1.95%, which was followed by DAS (10.1%), WSS (51.3%), ZVI (42.0%), and GAC (100.0%). The corresponding adsorption capacity was 8.5 mg/g by the composite adsorbent and adsorption capacities of GAC, ZVI, WSS, and DAS were 24.39 mg/g, 2.27 mg/g, 7.01 mg/g, and 1.70 mg/g, respectively. Further, the maximum removal efficiencies of the composite adsorbent for TN and TP were 84.9% and 97.4%, respectively, and the respective adsorption capacities were 1.85 mg/g and 0.55 mg/g. A study on the behaviour of the equilibrium data of COD and nutrient adsorption revealed that Elovich and Langmuir isotherm models provided the best fits. Further, batch studies on the composite adsorbent media indicated that the optimum COD removal took place at a temperature of 35° C, an initial concentration of 398 mg/L, and pH of 5.55. The importance of the composite lies in the fact that it can treat more than one contaminant simultaneously. In addition, the application of used materials is sustainable as proper disposal sites are highly limited. According to the results of the study, 200 times diluted leachate having a COD value of 380 mg/L can be treated up to a percentage efficiency of 80%, by the composite adsorbent. The data were statistically analyzed. The result showed the ability of the composite adsorbent to be used as packing media in any landfill-leachate treatment system or any treatment system targeting COD of any given wastewater of the same characteristics as landfill-leachate. Packing media can be either filtration media in pump-and-treat treatment systems or reactive media in permeable reactive barriers. This research was based on a mass range of 3-18 g within 180 minutes. However, further research on a widened mass range within a longer time period is needed.

Keywords: Adsorption, Batch sorption experiments, Composite adsorbent, Landfill-leachate, Organic matter
The Effect and Sustainable Management of Simply Overdraft in Two Different Groundwater Observation Wells
Authors: Şekerci K.  , Tuna M.C.  , Doğan M.Ş.
Published: June 2022

The term overdraft has been defined as a situation in which groundwater extraction by pumping exceeds the aquifer charge over an extended period of time. Groundwater is the main source of drinking and utility water in rural areas, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The aquifer is recharged by precipitation, rivers, and lakes. Causes such as the increase in temperatures due to climate change, decrease in precipitation, pollution of aquifers with wastes negatively affect the recharge of groundwater. When unlicensed wells and unconscious use of water in agriculture are added to all these reasons, which increase overdraft, the future of groundwater is endangered. For this reason, the sustainable management of groundwater is of great importance. In this study, changes in water levels were investigated by using the data of some observation wells within the borders of Uluova micro-basin in Elazig Province, one of the sub-basins of the Fırat basin, one of the important basins of Turkey. The study was carried out by comparing the seasonal water level measurements of two different observation wells drilled at the same ground level in Yurtbaşı and Yazıkonak towns within the borders of the Uluova basin in 2011-2018. Seasonal water level measurements for each year in the relevant observation wells were made in September when the water level is the lowest and in April when the water level is the highest. In both observation wells, it was observed thatgroundwater levels dropped significantly in September, the end of the dry period. Except for 2018, it was observed that the water levels in the Yurtbaşı observation well in September and April decreased much more than the water levels in the Yazıkonak observation well. In the September 2018 measurement, the measurement could not be made because the water in the Yazıkonak observation well was completely exhausted. When the seasonal water changes in the wells are examined, it can be said that the seasonal water level change in the Yurtbaşı observation well is more pronounced, except for 2018. As a result, it was observed that the water level in both wells decreased with each passing year compared to the previous year. This shows that overdraft results should be investigated in more detail by examining different observation wells in the region. In addition, it has been understood that it is very important to create a management model for the sustainability of groundwater resources by using the data of other observation wells in the basin.

Keywords: Groundwater, Overdraft, Well, Sustainable management*This study has been produced from the PhD research titled “Uluova Mikro Havzası Yeraltı Sularının Sürdürülebilir Yönetimi (Sustainable Management of the Uluova Micro Basin)” which is being prepared in the Graduate School of Sciences Fırat University, Department of Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Doctorate Program
Assessment of Chemical Retention of Riparian Area (Thaulla) in a Small Tank: A Study in Kankanam Tank, Weeraketiya, Sri Lanka
Authors: Sewwandi L.A.U.  , Amarasinghe S.R.  , Samarawickrama U.I.
Published: June 2022

The agriculture sector in Sri Lanka utilizes a considerable amount of land cover (27,400 km2), allowing a significant contribution to the national economy. Most of these agricultural fields are cultivated via irrigation schemes, especially in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, which receives limited rainfall throughout the year. In ancient days, communities in these areas used their techniques to develop tanks as a strategy to store and conserve the rainwater. The riparian area or “Thaulla” located in the upper peripheral region of the tank, is one of the basic and vital components that help filter nutrient pollutants and sediments in the water inflow of the tank. This study aimed to assess the chemical retention of Thaulla in a small tank viz. Kankanam tank, located in Hambantota District in Sri Lanka. The extent in the Thaulla area of the selected tank is about 2,185.3 m2. Surface soil (0-30 cm) samples from eleven locations within the Thaulla area and water samples from three tank locations were collected randomly. As the control, typical soil samples near the sampling site were collected. These samples were tested using standard methods for nine parameters: pH, EC, NO3--N, NH4+-N, Total N, P, Na, K, and Ca. ArcMap Software prepared a spatial distribution map for each parameter to identify their spatial variations in the studied area. Results revealed that concentrations of nutrients in Thaulla area were high compared to the typical soil and water in the tank indicating that it was highly contributed to retaining chemicals such as P (29.88 ppm), Ca (447.55 ppm), Na (5.14 ppm), and K (4.17 ppm). According to the spatial variation, it was noted that various external sources around the tank influenced the nutrient retention in the Thaulla area. The nutrient retention was high in the areas, closer to the landfills, paddy fields, and leachate canals. Further, the functionality of the Thaulla area as a constructed wetland could be identified. The tank water quality was satisfied with the tested parameters and in accordance with the irrigation water quality guidelines. Therefore, the Thaulla/riparian area is an important component of a tank allowing substantial chemical retention to control the pollution of water in the tank. Further studies need to be conducted to understand the seasonal variation of the chemical retention in Thaulla area.

Keywords: Constructed wetland, Riparian area, Small tank, Soil parameters, Water quality parameters
Policy Development for Initiating Green Universities in Sri Lanka: A Case Study Based on the NSBM Green University
Authors: De Silva L.D.I.
Published: June 2022

The higher educational institutes expand their scope of operational capacities while enhancing the accountability and sustainability in the terms of environment. Similar to the government conventional universities, recently oriented private institutes consecutive to develop the strategies and projects related to green technology. The green campus concept allows operating main functions of the institute, students and staff to utilize energy and resource in sustainable manner. In this paper addresses policies that have initiated to use the resource and energy efficient, the problems occurred during the development of green campus, analyzes based on the impact of the green area to reduce carbon foot print and possible approaches that can be used from other international Green Universities. The study selects NSBM Green University as the location. NSBM Green University is one of the green universities in South Asia and sets an example for the whole South Asia by paving the way for environmental sustainability. The main objective of the study is to identify the potentials of NSBM green university under the framework of green technology. On other hand, the investigation focuses attention on three main scopes namely; reduction of the carbon foot print by expanding the green area, by introducing eco-friendly power generation units and consisted of waste disposal. Meanwhile, the study tries to address the policy framework of the NSBM Green University to promote environmental friendly life style among the university staff and students. The strategies depict application of efficient technologies, and university resource management policy initiatives. The research adopts a case study approach to initially and in depth analysis related to the contextual insights of policy development in the NSBM Green University. The study emerges efficient action cores of energy and resource utilization; it further saves land, energy, water, material and environment protection. The study identifies the attributes like demonstrating green buildings, demonstrating energy efficiency retrofits, demonstrating renewable energy applications, demonstrating energy saving management and finally introducing energy saving management systems. Besides, study reveals NSBM University can strive for a positive reputation through the implementation of the green technology. High level of initiative ideas, sensitive of students for the green campaign and enforcement of the government to motivate for altering green concepts are synthesized in the study as the main results. As the conclusion green master plan is cooperated with green education, culture and activity in the institute.

Keywords: Green university, Policy, Energy
Diversity and Distribution of Marine Macro Algae at Dickwella, Bathigama Algal Bed in Southern Sri Lanka
Authors: Ganepola G.A.P.R.  , Bandara K.R.V.  , Manage P.M.
Published: June 2022

Seaweeds or marine macro algae are important factors in marine biodiversity of Sri Lanka. They are classified into three divisions as Chlorophyta (green algae), Phaeophyta (brown algae) and Rhodophyta (red algae). Irrespective of the great ecological importance and the higher potential for the economic uses, studies on marine macro algae in Sri Lanka is scanty. The current research was aimed at studying the diversity and distribution of marine macro algae at Dickwella, Bathigama algal bed in Southern coast Sri Lanka. The algal bed of 75 m×5 m were studied using 12 quadrates (0.5 m×0.5 m) distributed systematically with 15 m gap along the four line transects which were located parallel to the coast and with 5 m gap between them. The identification of macro algal species was done according to the standard guidelines and abundance was assessed following the Braun-Blanuet cover abundance scale. According to the results, twenty five species were found including nine Rhodophytes, twelve Chlorophyta, and four Pheaophyta. There was greater species richness in intertidal zone and high species diversity was found in upper intertidal zone of beach rock. Ulva fasciata and Caulerpa recemosa were the highest abundance species. Sargassum sp. was very high on intertidal zone covering a large area of the algal bed. Lower intertidal zone of algal platform had a lower species diversity as well as the lower species abundance. C. recemosa and crustose coralinealgae were the dominant in the study area. Halimeda sp. were recorded in the sand portion of the intertidal pools. The results suggests that the continuous survey with monthly intervals to study the seasonal variations of the algal flora and introduce rules and regulations are important to conserve algal diversity in Sri Lankan coastal belt.

Keywords: Bathigama algal bed, Sri Lanka, Diversity, Marine macro algae