Browsing by Author "Athapaththu, A.M.A.I.K."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of Suspended Plastic Levels in Surface Water of Southern Coastal Belt in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019-02) Athapaththu, A.M.A.I.K.; Athawuda, A.M.G.A.D.; Dias, P.C.B.; Abeygunawardana, A.P.; Senevirathna, J.D.M.; Thushari, G.G.N.; Liyanage, N.P.P.; Jayamanne, S.C.
    Plastic pollution is a growing concern all over the world including Sri Lanka due to serious negative consequences. Thus, current study focused on investigation of occurrence, quantification and spatial distribution of visually observed plastics and microplastics (MPs) in surface coastal water from 12 locations (Hikkaduwa, Gallefort, Dodanduwa, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa, Dickwella, Tangalle, Polhena, Rekawa, Godawaya, Hambantota) as covering 3 districts of southern coastal zone in Sri Lanka during July-December 2018. Surface water samples were collected by towing neuston, manta net (380 µm) along surface layer parallel to the shoreline using repeated measures approach. The samples were passed through 4000 µm, 500 µm and 250 µm mesh sieves and residual MPs were subjected to Wet Peroxide Oxidation protocol. Visually observed plastics and recovered MPs were observed through Trinocular Microscope, enumerated for density and confirmed by hot needle test. MPs were further sorted according to the color and shape. As results revealed, all the coastal water in sampling sites were contaminated with plastic accumulation. Overall average density of macroplastics and mesoplastics were recorded as 3.32 and 3.37 items/m³. Sampling location had no significant effect (p>0.05) on total MPs density (average total MPs density: 18.06±11.45 items/m³). Plastic accumulation sources of the affected sites were identified as harbor operational activities, residential actions and recreational events. MP debris with 0.512.00 mm consists of >65% of total number of MPs, whereas maximum size of microscopic plastic in coastal water was 11.04 mm. Fibers were the most common MPs followed by films. Blue colored and Transparent MPs were the majority of plastic items in coastal water due to prevalence of above plastic categories used in the packaging, bottles and fishing gears. In summary, southern coastal water in Sri Lanka is polluted by plastic debris and pollution control programmes are recommended by this study.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Current Status of Coastal Debris Accumulation along Beach Ecosystems in Southern Province of Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Athapaththu, A.M.A.I.K.; Egodauyana, K.P.U.T.; Jayarathna, W.N.D.S.; Abeygunawardana, A.P.; Senevirathna, J.D.M.; Thushari, G.G.N.
    Coastal debris accumulation in coastal and marine ecosystems is considered one of the serious, the emerging environmental problem in several countries including Sri Lanka. This study aims to identify the current status of debris accumulation in the coastal zone of Southern province in Sri Lanka. The 180 stakeholders were interviewed to collect data using a pre-tested questionnaire survey through 15 open-ended and rank order closedended questions (maximum 1-10 of scale) as a convenience sampling method. Based on the estimated median rank data, the majority of waste types were plastic (991.5), followed by glass (819.5) and papers (768.5) in the Southern coastal zone. Soft drink/water bottles (1264) were recorded as the major disposal items followed by food wrappings (1225) and Styrofoam food containers (1146) considering rank scores. Burning or collecting wastes (32.09%), handing over the garbage to the municipal council (25.5%), usage of public garbage bins (25.11%) are common waste disposal methods along the southern coast. The highest percentage of waste separation practices were recorded from Hikkaduwa (81.81%), Galle fort (60%), and Polhena (61.11%) regions. Hambantota and Tangalle beaches have regular waste collection services (100%) to a satisfactory level. Rekawa and Godawaya regional coasts had not recorded any frequent waste collection mechanism. Tourism and recreational activities (86.36-52.94%) and fisheries and harbor operations (93.33-60%) are major waste accumulation sources in study sites. Coastal debris is also accumulated by residential and household activities and unsustainable constructions to a lesser extent. Thus, unsustainable anthropogenic activities are major sources of coastal debris accumulation. The majority of fishermen and coastal residents did not adequately aware of the ecological and commercial impacts of coastal debris. This study suggests implementing integrated coastal management programs focusing on plastic debris accumulating sources. In conclusion, this study provides a basic platform on the issue of coastal debris deposition on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Keywords: Plastic pollution, Coastal debris accumulation, Coastal environment, Pollution sources, Anthropogenic activities