Your search found 4 records
1 Rajasooriyar, L. D.. 2003. A study of the hydrochemistry of the Uda Walawe Basin, Sri Lanka, and the factors that influence groundwater quality. Thesis submitted to the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 175p. + appendices.
(Location: IWMI-HQ Call no: D 333.9104 G744 RAJ Record No: H039929)
2 Rajasooriyar, L. D.; Hiscock, K. M.; Boelee, Eline. 2008. Vulnerability of regional crystalline rock aquifers to fluoride contaminaton: a case study from southern Sri Lanka. Paper presented at Groundwater and Climate in Africa, an International Conference, Kampala, Uganda, 24-28 June 2008. 10p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H041922)
(0.96 MB)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043354)
(0.72 MB)
This paper gives an overview of the geophysico-chemical groundwater conditions in Sri Lanka and the associated contemporary management challenges. Groundwater is extensively used in Sri Lanka today, for agriculture, domestic use and industry/tourism. Groundwater access, availability and vulnerability are governed by six major types of aquifer systems of which the most prevalent is the regolith aquifers in the central hard rock areas of the island. Uncontrolled groundwater use and contamination or natural poor quality are leading to access limitations and health concerns. The tsunami severely affected groundwater in the coastal areas and functioned as a wake-up call to further emphasize the importance of groundwater for life-supporting functions. Despite an emerging awareness, groundwater management is in its infancy, with the attitude of groundwater development still not converted into an approach of active management. The role of groundwater in achieving sustainable development and in the development of appropriate water management institutions needs to be highlighted and specifically addressed in policy discussions.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H046220)
(1.92 MB)
In southern Sri Lanka, irrigation influences the concentrations of faecal bacteria and inorganic toxic contaminants in groundwater. We develop a groundwater vulnerability map describing the potential human health implications of harmful constituents in the Uda Walawe Basin, by overlaying geological and land use data with information describing the irrigation system, the oxygen isotope composition of water bodies, and the concentrations of selected contaminants. Given the limited data available, we examine the spatial distribution of harmful constituents and the potential human health risks. Fluoride poisoning from groundwater is the greatest health threat in our study area, where fluoride concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 9.2 mg/L are associated with a geologic origin. Arsenic occurs in high concentrations, up to 0.4 mg/L, in areas with low recharge, although the source of arsenic is not clear. Nitrate concentrations are low, ranging from 0.4 to 23 mg/L, despite high fertilizer inputs, except in areas with low recharge and non-favourable reducing conditions, where concentrations up to 136 mg/L are found. Faecal bacteria decrease from surface water via shallow groundwater to deep groundwater. Irrigation water appears to play a major role in increasing microbial contamination and diluting inorganic constituents in groundwater. Hence, the most important determinants for mapping groundwater vulnerability are local geology and infiltration of irrigation water. The method we present provides a qualitative, yet practical, alternative to commonly used vulnerability mapping techniques for countries where high human health risk via consumption of groundwater is inevitable, and thus acts as a tool for selecting preventive and curative measures.
Powered by DB/Text
WebPublisher, from