bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal Evaluation of Vertical Greeneries for Building Façade with Different Orientations and Shading Percentages by Design-builder Simulation
Authors: Jayakody G.D.C.  , Jayasinghe G.Y.  , Halwatura R.U.  , Weerasinghe K.G.N.H.  
Published: February 2024

Green facades are the innovative forms of vertical greenery systems which are good strategies for urban greenery to improve the micro-climatic conditions of the area. This research study examines the benefits of cooling load by the simulation of the typical building. Design-builder energy plus simulation tool is used to estimate the annual cooling energy of the typical building which consists of three stories with four façade orientations with varying shading percentages to determine the optimum vertical greenery solution while taking shading percentage and façade direction into account. Design-builder software was validated by measuring the 24-hour temperature of the existing indirect vertical garden. The validation study was carried by using a basic linear regression model analysis using Mini tab software. Under five shading percentages (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), the building was designed with four orientations (North, East, South and West). As a consequence, there were twenty possible situations, each with four regions and four orientations. Each scenario's yearly annual cooling load was estimated and compared to a reference condition for a building without plants using the software. For four major orientations with varying different shade percentages, an indirect green façade with Thunbergia laurifolia was integrated. Validation results exhibit R2 value was 0.976, indicating that the model can express 97.6% of the actual data changes. In terms of economics, the building façade with 25% and 50% greenery coverage with a south orientation and 75% greenery coverage with east orientation are the best vertical greenery solutions. The ideal façade is the one that is completely covered in greenery (100%) and faces east.
Keywords: Design-builder, Indirect green facade, Orientation, Simulation
Core-Shell Adsorbent Granules Fabricated from Sand/Graphene Oxide Nano-Composite for Adsorptive Removal of Pb (II)
Authors: Perera W.P.R.T.  , Perera P.L.R.A.  , Kumarasinghe A.R.  , Liyanage J.A.  
Published: February 2024

Core-shell absorbent granules are produced by coating commercial sand gravels with graphite oxide (few-layer oxidized graphene sheets). Graphite oxide (GO) is synthesized chemically from vein graphite, a rare form of high purity natural graphite. Repeated coatings of graphite oxide on sand followed by low temperature (1200 C) thermal pyrolysis produce core-shell granules with a hierarchical structure in which sand gravels are covered by graphite oxide layers. The intention of this study is to assessment of feasibility of the mitigation of Pb (II) form the water by sand/graphene oxide nano-composite and study the dynamic behavior of the adsorption mechanism using the mathematical modeling. Individual materials and the resulting nanocomposite are characterized using a range of spectroscopic (FTIR, XRD, XPS) and microscopic (SEM/EDXA) techniques to elucidate the process of transforming individual materials into nanocomposite and to assess its suitability for removing Pb (II) from water. Stable sand/graphite oxide nanocomposites were obtained upon five times coating of GO on the sand surface and characterization shows that functionalized and a porous coating developed on the sand. The Pb (II) removal efficiency increases from high-acidic to neutral pH and decreases after basic (pH-8). The adsorption process takes 150 minutes to reach the equilibrium. After 150 minutes, the Pb (II) ion adsorption rate was constant. The maximum dosage of the nanocomposite needed to reach the equilibrium was 0.06g. Under the optimum conditions, 96.3% of Pb (II) removal efficiency was recorded from simulated Pb (II) containing water. According to the mathematical modeling, adsorption follows the Langmuir isotherm and fits well with the pseudo 2nd order kinetics model, indicating a homogeneous adsorption process via a monolayer process and Pb adsorbed onto the surface of the sand/GO nanocomposite by chemisorption. Sand/GO nanocomposite is an excellent candidate for removing Pb (II) from contaminated water.
Keywords: Adsorption, Graphene oxide, Sand, Water treatment
Characterization of Thermostable Cellulase Enzyme Isolated from a Hot Spring Bacterium: Bacillus sp.
Authors: Herath M.N.  , Sadeepa, H.D.D.  , Manage, P.M.  , Sirisena, K.A.  
Published: February 2024

Cellulase is a complex of enzymes which consists of β-1,4-endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, and β-glucosidase. Cellulase contributes a significant share to the world enzyme market and is used in number of industries viz; paper and pulp, food and beverage, bioethanol, detergent and textile. The harsh industrial conditions such as high temperature, extreme pH levels and high substrate concentration etc. which is used in such industries adversely effect on structure and activity of enzymes. Therefore, huge amount of chemical catalysts which cause chemical wastes are used in industrial settings instead of enzymes. Since the chemical wastes adversely affect the ecosystem, isolation and characterization of thermostable cellulase enzyme-producing bacteria and exploring the industrial perspective of thermostable enzymes is a better approach towards green chemistry. The present study focused on characterization of cellulase enzyme produced by Bacillus sp., which shows optimum activity at 60 C under neutral conditions, isolated from Gomarankadavala hot spring in Sri Lanka. The effect of different Carbon sources: glucose and lactose, Nitrogen sources: peptone, tryptone, yeast extract and urea on enzyme production and different Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) concentrations; 0.5%, 1.5% and 2%, on enzyme activity were measured using the DNS method. Under the optimum conditions, cellulase enzyme activity on different substrates: corn cob, rice bran and raw leaves were measured. The highest enzyme production was recorded in the culture medium which added tryptone as the nitrogen source and adding carbon sources to the culture medium showed an increase of cellulase enzyme production. The optimum CMC concentration for the enzyme activity was recorded as 1% and from all the optimized parameters, the substrate; raw leaves showed the highest enzyme activity of 11.305 U/ml. Further, a considerable amount of enzyme activity was recorded on corn cobs and rice bran as well. Thus, the thermostable cellulase enzyme produced by bacterium identified as Bacillus cereus isolated from Gomarankadavala hot spring could be successfully used in industrial settings such as kitchen/industrial waste management, bioethanol production, paper and pulp industry and textile industry which use high temperatures and cellulosic substrates as raw materials.
Keywords: Thermostable enzymes, Cellulase, Industrial applications, Hot springs
Release of Potassium Ions from Feldspar by Organic Acids Present in Potassium-Solubilizing Bacteria
Authors: Thashmantha M.A.D.S.  , Ratnatilleke A.A.L.  
Published: February 2024

Agricultural production and quality are determined by the nutrient levels in the soil. Permanent agricultural lands are usually nutrient deficient and it is compensated by fertilization. Recent studies have found that potassium-bearing chemical fertilizers caused some environmental issues and these fertilizers are expensive. Therefore, the development of a new method for supplying potassium to plants using ingredients found in Sri Lanka is important. In this respect, the bioconversion of feldspar using biotechnological processing to obtain potassium fertilizers is very promising. The overall objective of this study is to explore the release of potassium ions from feldspar (Microcline- KAlSi3O8) found in Sri Lanka by organic acids present in potassium-solubilizing bacteria to improve the efficiency of these minerals to use in more sustainable agricultural practices. In this research, the solubilization of feldspar with citric, oxalic, succinic, and tartaric acids (the main acids that are produced by potassium solubilizing bacteria) was studied, concerning the effect of acid type, the effect of each acid concentration, the effect of particle size of feldspar, the effect of incubation time, and the changes in pH over time. Ground feldspar (0.150–0.300 mm and 0.075– 0.150 mm) was separately shaken with 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 M of each organic acid for different periods (1, 2.5 and 4 hours) and the released potassium ion concentration was measured using a flame photometer and pH change was measured using a pH meter. The extent of solubilization of feldspar was shown to be influenced by the type of organic acid used. In comparison to inorganic acids (H2SO4), some organic acids were more successful in solubilizing feldspar. Both oxalic and tartaric acids showed a higher capability of releasing potassium from the feldspar than other acids by up to 9 folds. The solubilization was insignificant for the same acid when the acid concentration was changed. The solubility of feldspar in all acids increased as the particle size decreased. The solubilization of feldspar was increased practically in almost all acids as time increased. pH was increased in almost all acids when the reaction time was increased. These findings show that both oxalic and tartaric acids are the most successful acids in solubilizing feldspar. Finding bacteria that secrete these acids as their major byproducts and conditions that secrete these acids would be beneficial for agriculture and feldspar can be used to supply potassium to agricultural lands.
Keywords: Organic acids, Feldspar, Solubilization
Estimation of Water Yield and Soil Erosion in Samanalawewa Watershed in Sri Lanka using GIS-based InVEST Model
Authors: Premarathna W.D.U.  , Udayakumara E.P.N.  , Wanniarachchi D.N.S.  
Published: February 2024

Ecosystem services (ES) are a group of tasks performed by the earth's ecosystems that are required to support life and offer benefits to humanity. Thus, this study explores two of the water-related ecosystem services, water yield, and soil retention that were distributed in the Samanalawewa Watershed (SW) and its eight sub-watersheds in Sri Lanka, over 20 years (2000-2020) with five- year time intervals. Soil and water conservation and water yield play an important role in ecosystem management. Hydrological balance is a crucial component of the hydrological ecosystem services. Assessing water yield and soil erosion are pivotal for watershed management. Thus, this study estimated and mapped the water yield and soil erosion, using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST 3.9.2) Annual Water Yield (AWY) and Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) model respectively. According to the obtained results, in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020, the estimated mean annual water yield was 2.62x105, 2.6x105, 3.5x105, 3.58x105 and 2.75x105 m3 ha-1year-1, respectively. Furthermore, the estimated mean annual soil erosion rates for the above- mentioned years were 53.2, 52.9, 69.7, 87.7 and 70.2 t ha-1 year-1. The estimated soil loss values of the SW are 10 to 18 times greater than the soil erosion tolerance (5 t ha-1 year-1) in Sri Lanka. The results show that the years 2015 and 2005 have the highest and the lowest water yield and total soil loss values, respectively. The upper part of the watershed has relatively moderate water yield and soil loss values than the lower part. These findings would be beneficial in developing watershed management strategies and in the implementation of suitable soil and water conservation techniques within the watershed.
Keywords: Ecosystem services, InVEST, Samanalawewa watershed, Soil erosion, Water yield
A Study of Households’ Perception towards Solar Panel Installation Case Study: Villagers of Techno-park nearby Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Authors: Pathirathna M.P.P.Y.  , Kuruppu R.E.  , Perera A.M.H.  , Soysa W.A.E.  
Published: February 2024

In Sri Lanka, energy demand has been exponentially increasing with the outage of non-renewable energy sources. There is significant solar intensity in most of the areas in Sri Lanka. This study focused on the domestic solar power system since domestic solar panel usage (700 MW) is the country's highest contributor to solar energy usage. A photovoltaic (PV) system can supply electric energy to loads by directly converting solar energy through the photovoltaic effect with a flexible structure. This study aimed to analyze households' perceptions of solar panel installation. The study was conducted within a 5 km radius around the Faculty of Technology, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, to analyze the awareness of solar-related technologies. A systematically developed questionnaire was used for the survey to collect the peoples' awareness based on environmental, social & economic beliefs. Thirty residential places (30) were interviewed. According to the results, a residential house's average monthly electricity consumption is 137.67 kWh. The mean monthly income in the area is sixty-eight thousand one hundred and sixty-six rupees and sixty-seven cents. Moreover, most people had solar energy knowledge (93.33%). Among them, 53.57% of the majority were willing to install Domestic Solar PV systems for residential places. From the consumers, 76.66% of the majority had an average level of awareness of the Environmental benefits of using renewable energy and 70.00% of the majority had an excellent awareness of government intervention in rooftop solar energy projects such as "Soorya Bala Sangramaya‖. From the defined awareness levels, further analysis was done on the lowest level of Awareness of Solar Energy to identify their characteristics. The majority of them were those who had lower energy consumption, were over the age of 60 and had a monthly income below twenty thousand rupees. According to the consumers, the best strategy for promoting Solar PV Systems was to lower the prices of existing Solar PV systems. Regulating the efficiency of the Solar PV system was identified by the existing Solar PV system owners.
Keywords: Solar PV system, Techno-park, Photovoltaic panels
River Gem Mining, its Impacts and Mitigation: A Case from Kumbukkan Oya, Monaragala Divisional Secretariat Area
Authors: Premawansha O.G.K.R.  , Buddhika K.M.W.  , Priyankara T.L.A.  , Dissanayaka D.M.P.T.  
Published: February 2024

Gem mining is one of the oldest industries and a major source of income in Sri Lanka. Both traditional and recent mechanical gem mining methods are currently being practiced. However excessive, uncontrolled and illegal gem mining activities have caused many adverse impacts. This study was carried out to analyze the environmental impacts of river gem mining and to propose suitable remedial and mitigatiory measures, with more emphasis on existing legal framework. Study was conducted along a 15 km stretch of Kumbukkan Oya in Monaragala Divisional Secretariat area, where both legal and illegal gem mining activities are taking place at a high intensity. Data were collected by spatial surveys, field surveys and interviews with mine-owners, government officials and general public. All observed mining sites were within the 60m area on both sides of riverbanks. More than 80.00% of the localities from 36 observed sites were unlicensed mines. Natural vegetation had been removed and banks were collapsed due to uncontrolled mining, destructing riverine and aquatic ecosystems. Deep pits were observed in riverbeds at 12 locations. Removed trees and debris were accumulated at the middle of the river, causing flow direction changes. Washing out of damaged banks and disturbances to the riverbed had increased river turbidity and siltation. High number of unlicensed mines, negligence of miners for license conditions, poor monitoring by relevant authorities, lack of cohesion in gem mining policies and laws and the lack of awareness have triggered these issues. Immediate cancellation of condition-violated mining licenses and initiation of legal actions against illegitimate mining activities are important in preventing unregulated mining activities. Systematic rehabilitation of damaged riverine vegetation and riverbanks shall be conducted. Issuance of mining licenses in compliance with the National Environmental (Prohibition of the use of equipment for exploration, mining and extraction of sand and gem) Regulations No.01 of 2006 in Gazette Extraordinary No.1454/4 dated 17.07.2006, demarcation of the ―Reservation Limit‖ of the river mentioned in the said Gazette Notification and obtaining Environmental Recommendations from Central Environmental Authority prior to issuing the license are important to avoid conflicts between the provisions of National Environmental Act and National Gem and Jewellary Authority Act. Issuance of licenses only subject to an acceptable rehabilitation plan submitted by the mine owners, continuous monitoring by relevant authorities and raising awareness among all the stakeholders shall be implemented. More comprehensive studies can be carried out to find the ability of implementing modern environmentally friendly mining technologies.
Keywords: River gem mining, Impacts, Mitigation, Kumbukkan Oya
Faunal Diversity and Biodiversity Conservation within Homagama Mahinda Rajapaksha College, Sri Lanka
Authors: Abegunawardhana P.D.  , Aththanayake R.K.P.S.  , Galhenage D.T.T.M  , Dahanayaka K.S.S.S.  , Amarasinghe M.A.A.  , Nanediri D.G.S.  , Pathberiya I.N.  
Published: February 2024

A faunal diversity survey was carried out to analyze the faunal diversity in Homagama Mahinda Rajapaksha College in Colombo District, Sri Lanka. The survey site is located in a suburban area that is surrounded by disturbed properties. The aim of the survey was to analyze the faunal diversity and recognize the special habitat types in the school premises for conservation purposes. It could recognize five major zones which have different types of microhabitats and rich in faunal diversity. The survey was done as a visual encounter survey, and smartphones, digital cameras and binoculars were used to collect data of the fauna species for documenting and identifying purposes. Also, pitfalls traps, light traps and beating were used as survey methods. The study was done for three days including three random sampling events during both day and night. Standard guides were used for identifying and photographs, notes on observations were sent to experts on each taxon for further confirmation. A total of 188 fauna species were recorded during the survey including 55 species of vertebrates including five classes (Aves, Amphibia, Mammalia, Reptilia, Actinopterygii) and 133 species of invertebrates including six classes (Insecta, Gastropoda, Diplopoda, Clitellata, Chilopoda, Arachnida). The study could document 30 bird, 14 reptile, 6 mammals, 4 amphibian and 1 ray-finned fish species as vertebrates and 95 insect, 5 mollusks, 3 millipede, 2 clitellate, 2 centipede, 26 arachnid species as invertebrate fauna species in the school premises. Based on the results of the survey, the fauna diversity of the studied site is stable and depends on the microhabitat types in the different zones. As a suburban area, the species richness of the site is in well conditions. To keep stable and increase the fauna diversity of the site, doing regular surveys and recording data, generating microhabitats, and conserving highly diverse habitat types are suggested. Unique species like Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) were observed and as the only venomous snake species, Merrem‘s hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) was recorded. The faunal diversity of the studied site helps to keep the unique surroundings there and keeping frequent records and data on the site will help to maintain the biodiversity with constructions in and around the school premises.
Keywords: Faunal diversity, Suburban, Citizen Science, Conservation, Visual encounter
Relationship of Physico-chemical Properties of Water with Phytoplankton Abundance in Peraru Village Tank in Vavuniya District
Authors: Samarawickrama R.A.D.  , Nanthakumaran A.  , Sivakumar P.  
Published: February 2024

The village tank cascade system, predominantly found in the Vavuniya district, satisfies the water demand for agriculture and domestic needs considerably. Among them, the Peraru village tank lies in a cascade line in the Vavuniya district. The water resource of Peraru village reservoir is treated by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Vavuniya, and distributed to the local public. As Peraru a drinking water fountain, the study of phytoplankton and water quality is important. The study's objective was to identify the phytoplankton and estimate the abundance of phytoplankton in the Peraru village tank along with the Physico-chemical characteristics of water. A phytoplankton sampling was done by using plankton net at the selected three locations of Peraru village reservoir weekly from March to April 2021. Totally, 24 samples were analyzed during the study period. Simultaneously, water samples were also collected at each site to determine dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, temperature, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations. Identification of phytoplankton was made based on standard guides, and the abundances of phytoplankton were estimated using Sedgewick- rafter counting cells. The results of Physico- chemical parameters were statistically tested using ANOVA and found correlations between the abundance of phytoplankton and Physico-chemical parameters. Phylum Bacillariophyta and genus Aulacoseira were the dominant phylum and genus in the Peraru village tank. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Electrical Conductivity (EC), nitrate, and phosphate positively influenced the abundance of phytoplankton in the Peraru village tank, while turbidity negatively affected the same.
Keywords: Phytoplankton abundance, Correlation, Physico-chemical parameters