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Assessment of soil geochemistry around some selected agricultural sites of Sri Lanka

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Abstract

Farming is the major source of income for the villagers of North-central Sri Lanka. However, chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology is a major health hazard in the area and it is assumed that agricultural contaminants are the major causative agents. This study focuses on the geochemistry of soils in the area to determine possible natural and anthropogenic impacts of the problem. X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to determine the abundance of selected major and trace elements. Results show that geo-enrichment for many elements indicates slight to significant variations between agricultural and non-agricultural soils. Geoaccumulation index (I geo) shows higher pollution levels of Pb and V (2 < I geo < 3) and very lower pollution levels of As, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn (1 < I geo < 2) in agricultural soils. However, I geo for non-agricultural soils implies lack of contaminations (I geo < 1). Positive correlations of As with Pb and Zn and negative correlations with Cu, Ni and Cr suggest that they may have derived from different sources such as sulfide minerals of basement rocks, fertilizers and agrochemicals. The results of this study suggest that there is no significant threat from As and other trace elements to soils. The accumulation of these elements in agricultural fields may have been effectively controlled by seasonal farming practices. However, there is a potential environmental risk from elements such as Pb and V due to their significant enrichment in soils.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Divisional Secretary of Padaviya for his enthusiastic support during the field study. Professor K. Dahanayake is thankful for editorial corrections, which improved the paper considerably. We also thank the staff of the Shimane University, Japan for constructive suggestions. This study was supported by a MEXT (Monbukagakusho) graduate scholarship to DTJ from Shimane University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

    D. T. Jayawardana

  2. Department of Geology, Peradeniya University, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka

    H. M. T. G. A. Pitawala

  3. Department of Geoscience, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan

    H. Ishiga

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  1. D. T. Jayawardana
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  2. H. M. T. G. A. Pitawala
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  3. H. Ishiga
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Correspondence to D. T. Jayawardana.

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Jayawardana, D.T., Pitawala, H.M.T.G.A. & Ishiga, H. Assessment of soil geochemistry around some selected agricultural sites of Sri Lanka. Environ Earth Sci 71, 4097–4106 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2798-9

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