{"title":"Ecofriendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles via Camellia sinensis Leaves and their Insecticidal Effects towards the Storage Pest, Sitophilus oryzae. (L.)","authors":"Sandeepani G.D.V.A., Perera A.G.W.U., Chinthaka S.D.M.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7167","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7167","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000Existing agricultural practices are not enough to satisfy the growing demand for food. Therefore, high-yielding varieties, fertilizers, and pesticides must be used to increase productivity with limited arable land. As the crop yield increases, the incidence of pest attack within field and storage ecosystems rise which leads to increased demand for insecticides. Plant-mediated biosynthesis of nanomaterials has attracted much researcher interest in recent years due to many advantages over chemically synthesized conventional insecticides. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using the leaf extract of Sri Lankan tea from Camellia sinensis to control a major stored-grain insect pest, the Sitophilus oryzae adults (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bio-transformed AgNPs were applied at the rates of 1.5, 1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.0625 g/kg on pesticide-free rice grains, wherein the mortality percentage was assessed after every 24 hours for seven days continuously. The appearance of the signature brown color of the solution indicated the formation of silver nanoparticles. UV-Vis spectroscopy results showed a peak of absorbance in the range of 400-460 nm, which is in good agreement with previous records for silver nanoparticles synthesized by green techniques. The average crystallite size determined by subjecting XRD results into Debye-Scherrer equation was found to be 61.9 nm, which was further characterized by the electronmicrography results obtained by SEM, whereby particles were confirmed to be within the nano-range. Results of the toxicity bioassay showed that mortality of S. oryzae adults increased with increasing dosages and time exposed to each dosage, producing 100% mortality at 1.5 g/kg dosage. Hence, it can be concluded that the green synthesized silver nanoparticles can be applied effectively and successfully in a stored grain integrated pest management programs. \u0000Keywords: Green-synthesized silver nanoparticles, Camellia sinensis, Insecticidal, Sitophilus oryzae \u0000 \u0000 \u0000","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"10 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139962854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Socioeconomic Sustainability of Chena Cultivation in the Forested Land of Hambantota District, Sri Lanka","authors":"Pramod C. W., Jeyavanan K., Sivananthawerl T.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7139","url":null,"abstract":"Chena cultivation is one of the major agriculture systems and extensively practiced in rural areas of low country dry zone as their main livelihood. Generally, a slash-and-burn method is used to clear the land in the forested area where the land is prepared before the North-East monsoon starts. Short-duration, comparatively drought resistant crops such as grains, legumes, oil crops, and vegetables are commonly grown in Chena. However, scientific studies on Chena cultivation to assess socioeconomic status were limited in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study attempted to assess the socioeconomic status of Chena farmers in the close proximity of forest lands in Southern part of Sri Lanka. Chena cultivation areas at Tissamaharama (8 Grama Niladhari divisions namely Gotabhayapura, Yodakandiya, Rathnelumwalayaya, Uddakandara, Viharamahadevipura, Ranakeliya, Wijayapura and Joolpallama) and Lunugamwehera (7 Grama Niladhari divisions namely Udamaththala, Padawgama, Pahalamaththala, Rabukwewa, new town-Lunugamwehera, new town-Weerawila and Keerthipura) Divisional Secretariats in Hambantota district was studied. 40 Chena farmers were purposively selected for the study. Primary data were collected from the farmers by using pre-tested structured questionnaire, personal interviews and field observations. Descriptive statistics and correlation tests were employed to analyse the data. Results revealed that farmers practiced four types of Chena such as Navadali Hena (clearing an untouched forest area), Ath Danduwa Hena (regrowth and cut), Mukulan Hena (consists of medium- sized trees) and Hen Kanaththa (land exist for survival). 98% of farmers are fully involved in chena cultivation in the study area. 32.5%, 22.5%, 20%, 12.5%, and 7.5% of farmers had 11-20, 21-30, 0-10, 31-40, and 41-50 years of experience, respectively in Chena cultivation. The result also revealed that 80% of the farmers were not a member of farmer`s societies and other organizations. A small number of farmers had received some relief from government such as fertilizer, agricultural extension services, 50% of subsidy seed, and 50% of subsidy loan. Chena farmers earned more than Rs.500,000.00 whereas the average income was Rs. 802,392.16 per annum. Further, 63% of the cost was contributed by labour followed next to land preparation (16%) and agrochemical (13%). Sweet melon, green gram, long beans, and tomato were recorded as major cultivated crops. Further, Chena areas were highly problematic by wildlife and cattle damage (87.5%), marketing issues (67.5%), legal (37.5%), drought (30%), and pest and diseases (27.5%). However, around 74% of respondents were willing to continue the Chena cultivation, because they have no other alternative livelihoods in this area. On the other hand, the majority (54%) were neutral or dissatisfied about their situation because they did not have land ownership. Introducing a registration procedure for land ownership, constructing the electrical fence to avoid wildlife da","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"20 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139962978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) As a Possible Alternative Energy Source: A Case Study for INSEE Cement Manufacturing Plant in Puttalam, Sri Lanka","authors":"Chandrathilake G.G.T., Rathnayake O.M.S.C., Silva A.P.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7111","url":null,"abstract":"Cement manufacturing is typically energy-intensive process and currently using alternative fuels partially or totally to replace fossil fuels to reduce the energy and environmental costs. Biomass is one of the main alternative fuel utilized by the cement industry with the potential to replace up to 20% of total energy demand. Water hyacinth (WH) is a problematic invasive alien species in aquatic ecosystems of all climatic zones in Sri Lanka. Because of it is non-edible, rapid growth, and freely available in larger quantities, WH has the potential to be used as biomass energy. Several countries have been studied for WH as feedstock for bioenergy production while physical and chemical composition of WH biomass has been tested by many researchers. However, biomass physiochemical properties may be varied by different place and conditions and there is no significant study for industrial application of WH biomass to burn in cement plant kiln as alternative energy source. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the potential of WH biomass as an alternative energy source for the INSEE cement plant in Puttalam. The study was conducted in three selected reservoirs namely, Tabbowa reservoir (TR), Murukkuwatawana reservoir (MR), and Nawadankulama reservoir (NR) located in Puttalam district Northwestern province of Sri Lanka. The quantity of fresh and dry WH biomass was estimated with the WH covered area and fresh and dry weights of WH in unit area.WH covered area of in each reservoir during 2020 and 2021 was digitized directly in Google earth satellite images using Google Earth Pro software with help of visual interpretation techniques. WH biomass per unit area were measured by the subjective sampling method. WH samples from each reservoir were collected for analyzing biomass, and to determine the fuel characteristics such as net calorific value (NCV), Chlorine and Sulfur content, moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content. According to the results, the fresh WH biomass was recorded as 692.62, 389.85, 23.58 tons in 2020 and 3570.82, 584.53, 33.31 tons in 2021 in the TR, MR, and NR respectively, while the dry WH biomass was recorded as 41.65, 24.65, 1.31 tons in 2020 and 214.74, 36.96, 1.85 tons in 2021 in the TR, MR, and NR respectively. NCV of the WH composite sample was 12.02 MJ/kg. Moisture content, ash content, chlorine and sulfur content were recorded as 13.56%, 10.95%, 1.06%, and 0.14% respectively. Except for chlorine content, other parameters agreed with the acceptable limits for using WH as an alternative energy source for cement industry. To replace 1 ton of coal, 2.2 tons of dry WH were required from 35 tons of fresh WH biomass while to produce 1 ton of clinker, 0.32 tons of dry WH were required from 5.2 tons of fresh WH biomass. Since relatively large quantities are freely available and with high volatile content and calorific value, WH is suitable as an alternative energy source for cement industry. However, economic feasibility should","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Farmers Perspectives on Negative Impacts of Chemical Pesticide Usage in Vegetable Cultivations: Case Study from the Periyaneelavanai Area, Ampara District","authors":"Tharangani P.K.S.J., Sanjula K.R., Sahr A.K.S., Rushdha M.J., Bandara W.A.R.T.W.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7030","url":null,"abstract":"Indiscriminate use of pesticides causes health hazards to humans and long-lasting negative impacts to the environment. The major objectives of this study are to evaluate the current status of pesticide usage in the Periyaneelavani area, to evaluate farmers‘ perception on health, environmental effects due to usage, of pesticides, to identify the awareness level of farmers about proper usage of chemical pesticides and alternatives. This study was carried out in two GN divisions of Periyaneelavanai area, Ampara district. To represent 20% respondents, 50 farmers from each GN devisions which upto total 100 were randomly surveyed using a structured questionnaire. In order to gather the necessary data on vegetable cultivation, a preliminary study involving interviews with the Agricultural Instructor-Officer in Charge and affiliated farmers in Periyaneelavanai area were conducted before the actual survey. Discriptive analysis, P test, T test, anova were performed using minitab 14.0 version to conduct data analysis. The present study revealed that Chili, Brinjal, Okra, Tomato, Long beans, Cucurbites, Onion and Leafy vegetables were primarily grown in this area. Abamactin, Coragan, Applaud and Virtako were used as insecticides and Abamactin was the most popular (42%) among farmers. Mancozeb, Propineb and Canazole were used as fungicides and the highest usage was Mancozeb (45%). Mortin rat kill was used as a rodenticide by all the respondent farmers, and they have not used herbicides for their vegetable cultivation; instead, they manually remove the weeds. Skin irritation was the most prominent (60%), acute disease, and Asthma was the most common chronic disease (31%), that can be seen among farmers. The most common adverse environmental impact in this area was the empty pesticide containers piling up along roadsides (95%). All the farmers use at least one PPE while applying pesticide though the frequency of wearing PPE is different among each other. The majority of respondents use gloves, eye protection, and foot ware but lack of awareness towards face, head and body protection. The highest number of farmers selected indoor places (51%) for pesticide storage which cause to have a high risk of exposure among farmers. Most of the farmers selected the option of burying or burning pesticide bottles after using it. Majority of respondents preferred to use chemical pesticides (76%), rather than alternative methods due to the reliability of those methods. It is proposed to educate farmers on application, storage, cleaning and carrying the pesticides, the methods of effectiveness of different individual protection facilities, and utilizing the behavior to reduce the exposure to poisons should be developed and be available to farmers. This will help to reduce negative health and environmental consequences. Moreover, it is recommended to introduce reliable and effective alternative methods for chemical pesticides. \u0000Keywords: Periyaneelavanai area, Vegetable cultivat","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is the Forest Fire adjacent to St. Clair’s Waterfall Natural or Man-made?","authors":"Wijerathna L.P.S.D.N., Meegahakotuwa U.S.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7207","url":null,"abstract":"Forest fires have been showing an increasing trend in Sri Lanka over the past few years. Previous studies proved that most of the forest fires in Sri Lanka were caused by human factors. The main objective of this study is to identify the causes of forest fires in close areas of St. Clair‘s fall, which is situated on the western slope of the Central Highlands and to investigate the impacts and measures to reduce forest fires. Primary data as well as secondary data were used for this study. Primary data was obtained through a questionnaire survey and focused group interviews from the study area of Hollyrood, Wattegoda, and Dewon GN Division. Twenty (20) households have been interviewed from the random sampling. Focused group interviews were held with the Nuwara Eliya Forest Conservation Department, Tea Estate companies and Thalawakele Police Station. Rainfall and temperature data were taken as secondary data for the period from 2010 to 2020 from the Department of Meteorology, Colombo. 83 respondents stated that forest fires occurs from January to April because of the high temperature and low rainfall recorded in these months. Patana grasslands are spared on the lower slopes of the left and right banks of waterfall area and plantation forest and Tea plantation have spread in the higher part of the slope. According to the Forest Department, the understory of Patana grassland and undergrowth for forest plantations are exposures to fire in this area. 96 respondents stated that forest fires are purposely started by the people to catch fish from the Kothmale Oya, build bonfire on the rock, and burn fish. Fires are generated through those flames. 63 stated that forest fires are done for ―jungle based feedings‖ for cattle herds by the people in the Thalawakele plantation settlement. They expect fresh grass to boom in the rainy seasons by setting fires in the dry season. 22 respondents stated that forest fires are purposely done for hunting purposes. Most of the fires occur on the left bank of the Kothmale Oya River. In order to prevent fires in this area, the fire breaks fire belt and such as corridors without and with floras are established as buffer zones on the right bank. This fire belt is maintain by Thalawakele Plantation Company. When a forest fire occurs, the Forest Department sends the SMS message to alert the community. Planting hana trees as a green belt can be recommended to reduce the occurrence of fires in this area. \u0000Keywords: Central Highlands, Random sampling, Bonfire, Hana trees ","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"10 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wickramasinghe K.H.P.D.L., Chandrathilake G.G.T., De Zoysa N.D., Rajathewa R.A.M.P.M.
{"title":"Recognition of Invasive Characteristics of Areca triandra Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (Arecaceae), an Introduced Palm Species in Sri Lanka","authors":"Wickramasinghe K.H.P.D.L., Chandrathilake G.G.T., De Zoysa N.D., Rajathewa R.A.M.P.M.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.6556","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.6556","url":null,"abstract":"Areca triandra Roxb. Ex Buch-Ham native to the Southeast Asian region has been introduced to many tropical areas including Sri Lanka. Although the common occurrence of A. triandra is noticeable in the southwest region of Sri Lanka, there was no prior study and literature available to investigate the aggressiveness and invasive potential of this species. Therefore, the objective of this research was to identify the level of invasiveness and risk level of A. triandra in natural areas by (a) assessing the distribution range, (b) identifying the biological strategies for rapid colonization through a population assessment and reproductive biology assessment. An extensive literature survey was conducted to determine the distribution range of A. triandra in Sri Lanka. A population assessment was conducted in Meethirigala Forest Reserve (MFR) and Yagirala Forest Reserve (YFR). Mature A. triandra percentage, crown cover percentage, and reproductive biology assessment were conducted by establishing six 20 m×20 m plots, and A. triandra seedling percentage was evaluated by using twenty-four 1 m×1 m plots by covering different topographic conditions such as mid-slope and valley. To evaluate the invasiveness and risk level, a protocol for the prioritization of invasive species in Sri Lanka developed by the United Nations Development Organization (UNDP) was used. Results show that the common occurrence of A. triandra was noticeable in the southwest region of Sri Lanka. The abundance of mature individuals of A. triandra account for 57% with an average crown cover of 46% and seedlings account for 69% of the ground layer. The species thrives in locations subjected to natural and anthropogenic disturbances and the high crown cover and dominance of seedlings negatively affect the understory by suppressing native vegetation. This palm is clump-forming with 66% of plants with multiple stems. Sexual reproduction produced a large number of fruits; 150-200 fruits per infructescence and an average of 370 fruits per clump. Direct observation showed that the bright red fleshy pericarp of the fruit attracts frugivores, such as the Asian Koel and Green Imperial Pigeon. Protocol criteria evaluation has resulted in A. triandra being under ―Alert‖ status with the risk level of ―Moderate‖ for the invasiveness under natural conditions. Invasive potential with dense populations, clustering stems, high canopy cover, high fruit production, and effective seed dispersal confirms that A. triandra is displacing and threatening the native ecosystems. Immediate actions should be taken to control A. triandra populations for preventing further spread in natural ecosystems. \u0000Keywords: Areca triandra, Arecaceae family, Invasive species, Frugivores, Infructescence ","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"6 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Elephant Based Volunteer Tourism in Sri Lanka (On the Perception of Volunteer Service Providers and Volunteer Participants in Elephant Related Activities)","authors":"Perera P.K.U.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7113","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000Volunteer tourism is an emerging sector of modern tourism. Elephant based volunteering activities, which means activities related to conservation and protection of animal rights and welfare related to elephants, plays a contemporary role among them, that perceive the aspect of animal conservation and preservation while also promoting tourism which describes both well-being of the elephants and tourism markets. This study is a collaboration to depict these types of contemplating the current profile of elephant-related activities and volunteer tourism in Sri Lanka, while creating and promoting a niche market for elephant-based volunteer tourism that would guide to identify and understand volunteer service providers and volunteer participant‘s perspective of captive and non- captive elephant welfare. The researcher has selected Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Wasgamuwa National Park, Hurulu Eco Park and Minneriya Forest Reserve as the research sites for the study. The population of the study is consisted with all the participants of elephant-based volunteer programs and volunteer service providers related to the elephant related activities of Sri Lanka. As the sample the researcher selected 30 participants who they are both volunteer service providers and volunteer participants from the areas of selected research sites. For selecting the sample, the researcher adopted purposive sampling technique. Qualitative method is adopted for the study and structured interviews were used as primary data resource, while journal articles, research papers, books and online sources were used as secondary data sources and thematic analysis method was utilized in analyzing the data. According to the findings the elephants are using in entertainment purposes which are; elephant back riding, elephant shows, perahara events, elephant seeing safaris, elephant based souvenirs and products and photography. As the data analysis the short comings in elephant-based tourism are lack of awareness about the concepts throughout the country, lack of government involvement and unavailability of strict legal structure, lack of consideration about the animal welfare by the respective organizations and restriction of animal freedom. Major opportunities generated by the elephant-based volunteering activities includes generation of good income through the tourism industry and volunteering is a major tool of self-improvement. When searching for the challenges in promoting elephant-based volunteering activities the following are identified; language barriers, unacceptable human behavior and attitudes, monetary constraints and improper uses of private tour operators. When discussing about promoting elephant-based volunteering activities, based on the research it can be suggested to use social media for promoting, holding awareness programs in forest areas as well as in urban areas, conducting collaborative research studies and taking measures to alter the attitudes of people. \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000K","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"11 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Variability of Urban Heat Island Intensity in Colombo Metropolitan Area","authors":"Withana P.M., Lokupitiya E.Y.K., Rajapaksha I.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7125","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 \u0000During the last few decades, the Colombo Metropolitan Area (CMA) has experienced rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization, resulting in the replacement of natural landcover with more impervious surfaces. The primary approach of current study was to determine the gradients of air temperature and assess the spatiotemporal variation of atmospheric urban heat island (AUHI) intensity in the CMA considering a range of rural sites extending in different radial directions from the urban center. A total of sixteen rural observation sites that extend from an urban center in four directions were selected within the CMA, with four sites 3.5 km apart from each other in any direction. The air temperatures at each site were measured using HOBO UX-100-003 temperature data loggers for an 8-day period from 21st to 28th, of February 2022. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized difference building index (NDBI) were used to determine the influence of land use/land cover on air temperatures. The results revealed that air temperature had a strong positive correlation with NDBI. Thus, the current study suggests that the impervious surface/s is a significant predictor of air temperature over the study area. The higher air temperatures were observed at the urban center in relation to the selected suburban and rural observation sites. Hence, the current study confirms that AUHI exists within the selected study area over the CMA. It was found that AUHI tends to be present throughout the day in the CMA. However, it becomes strong between 12.00 A.M. and 6.00 A.M and mostly weakens in the late afternoon hours. Furthermore, this study found that the timing and magnitudes of AUHI vary from direction to direction across the study area depending on the site-specific characteristics of the rural observation sites. The current study emphasizes that site-specific land use/land cover characteristics can have a significant impact on the interpretation of UHI study results even within a single metropolitan area. Therefore, taking only one rural site might not be effective in determining the UHI intensity and a range of sites need to be considered (to select from) for in-depth analysis of UHI in any given area. The findings of the current study will provide firsthand knowledge for urban planners to identify future trends in UHI in the CMA and will promote further UHI research in this area. \u0000Keywords: Rural observation site, Atmospheric urban heat island, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index \u0000 \u0000 \u0000","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"11 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of the Quality of the Groundwater used for Domestic Purposes in the Anuradhapura District of the Dry Zone and the Efficacy of Laterite Soil-based Household Water Filters as Adsorbents","authors":"Dissanayake N.U.S., Jayawardana D.T., Buddhima A.V.P.S., Mapatuna M.H.L., Gunathilake B.M., Hisho R.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7180","url":null,"abstract":"High concentrations of hardness, Ca, Mg, NO3-, PO43-, F- and, heavy metals in the groundwater being consumed in Sri Lanka's North Central province are becoming a serious health concern. The current study examined the groundwater quality in the Anuradhapura district as well as the effectiveness of groundwater purification by a laterite soil-based water purification device for Domestic Purposes. Chemical parameters (hardness, Ca, Mg, NO3-, PO43-, F-, Cr, Cd and Pb) were analyzed in randomly collected 35 number of well water samples during the dry season to assess the quality. The range of hardness was (21-1730) mg/l, with an average hardness of 471 mg/l. Anuradhapura had high levels of Ca and Mg, with average concentrations of 122 mg/l, ranges of (5- 429 mg/l) and 40 mg/L (2-160 mg/l), respectively. Phosphate levels ranged from (0.02-0.83 mg/l), with an average of 0.08 mg/l. Whereas nitrate concentrations ranged from (0.05-6.5) mg/l with an average of 0.59 mg/l and, fluoride levels ranged from (1.8-4.0 mg/l), with 2.3 mg/l being the average. Heavy metal concentrations that were below the WHO and Sri Lankan Standard limits had no discernible effect. The laterite soil-based water purification cylinder removed the hardness, Ca, Mg, NO3-, PO43- and, F- by adsorption. It was removed the hardness at an average rate of 89.7%, Ca at 89.32%, Mg at 86.87%, P at 100%, NO3- at 92.6% and F- at 81.6%. The outcomes showed that, well water in Anuradhapura region needs to be treated beforehand so it can be consumed. The laterite soil-based water filter performed well in terms of removing high hardness, Ca, Mg, P, NO3-, and F-. \u0000Keywords: Groundwater quality, Laterite, Adsorption, Removal efficiency","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"21 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139963549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fernando N.D.S.M., Godakumbura P.I., Prashantha M.A.B., Cooray A.T.
{"title":"Impacts of Organic and Non-organic Paddy Farming Practices on Surface Water Quality in Selected Areas","authors":"Fernando N.D.S.M., Godakumbura P.I., Prashantha M.A.B., Cooray A.T.","doi":"10.31357/fesympo.v27.7183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v27.7183","url":null,"abstract":"Paddy (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation plays major role in Sri Lanka. Mainly Organic and Non-organic paddy farming methods are conducted. Organic paddy farming method only used organic fertilizers and non-organic paddy farming method used chemical fertilizers which are Urea, Triple Super Phosphates. Therefore, farming practices can be affected to the surface water quality creating various health hazards. The study was conducted from November 2021 to February 2022 (Maha season) to assess the impact of organic and non-organic paddy farming practices on surface water quality in Wallewala, Homagama, and Kottawa paddy agricultural lands by analyzing pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, COD, total hardness, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, sulfate, chloride, potassium, zinc, and chromium. Wallewala is newly created environment sensitive agricultural land in less human influence. Both organic and non-organic paddy lands are in that area. Kottawa paddy lands are cultivated only chemical fertilizers and the Homagama paddy lands are cultivated by organic fertilizers. Randomly, six and nine surface water samples were collected from paddy irrigated systems in Wallewala area represent to organic and non-organic paddy lands respectively. Randomly, five and six surface water samples were collected from paddy irrigated systems in Homagama Organic, and Kottawa non-organic paddy lands respectively. The water from both paddy systems, min pH (5.25±0.04), max EC (315±1.00 μScm-1 ), min DO (6.13±0.06 mgL-1), max BOD5 (2.82±0.06 mgL-1), max sulfate (205.76 ppm), max chloride (45.91 ppm), max K (5.63 ppm), and max Zn (0.12 ppm) were found, while the study revealed that all the water quality parameters were not exceeded the reported ambient water quality standards for inland waters in Sri Lanka for irrigation purposes. Further EC, TDS, COD, total hardness, sulfates, chloride, potassium, and zinc were greater in non-organic paddy lands in both Wallewala and Kottawa areas. According to the obtained data, there was no water pollution from the paddy cultivation in respective areas. But these results indicate that water quality parameters vary with the utilized fertilizers. \u0000Keywords: Paddy cultivation, Water quality, Organic paddy farming, Non-organic ","PeriodicalId":205644,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of International Forestry and Environment Symposium","volume":"29 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139962124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}