Center for Water Quality and Algae Research

Water Quality and Algae Laboratory was established in 2011 at the Department of Zoology and it was upgraded to the “Center for Water Quality and Algae research in 2015” Faculty of Applied Science to offer sustainable solutions for water quality,  The main functions of the center are; study surface and ground water quality,  study and give solution for existing algae related and cyanotoxins problems in drinking water and in the aquatic environment in parallel with the exploitation of their diverse bio synthetic capabilities and contribute to the national development.

At the initial stage the centre was research funds were received from USJP,  NRC (National Research Council),  NSF (National Science Foundation), NWSDB (National Water Supply and Drainage Board). This will be the first ever full-fledged state of the art Water Quality and Algae Laboratory in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the research council of the university of Sri Jayewardene is funding for strengthen laboratory equipment facility, chemicals. Infrastructure postgraduate research and post doctoral research.

Researches

1. Molecular detection of toxigenic cyanobacteria, quantification of microcystin and exploiting microbial diversity to remove microcystin for water treatment solutions.

2. Effects of catchments characteristics, anthropological activities and industrial discharges on ground water quality in Kelani river basin (Ongoing).

3. Isolation and characterization of selected veterinary and health important antibiotic resistant bacteria and their prevalence in sediments and water (Ongoing).

4. Molecular detection of toxin producing cyanobacteria and quantification of microcystin variants in relation to water chemistry in some selected water bodies in Sri Lanka (Ongoing).

5. Identification and quantification of cyanobacteria  and microcystin-LR and in relation to N, P, Mn, Fe, COD and TOC in some selected drinking and irrigation water bodies in Sri Lanka.

6. Extraction of antifungal and antibacterial active compounds from freshwater and soil cyanobacteria (Ongoing).

7. Identification of pathogenic bacteria in groundwater of the Kelani river basin .

 

Research Collaboration

—1. Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin analysis in Sri Lanka water bodies  Robert Gorden university, UK

—2. Production of biodiesel from Microcystis bloom in Beira lake” – Petroleum cooperation

—3. Identification of pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter) in ground water in the Kelani river basin- Medical Research Institute (MRI) and WHO Salmonella and Shigella laboratory in Thailand

4. —Qualitatively and quantitatively analysis of pesticides in ground water of the Kelani river basin – Pesticide Registrar Department

5. “Antibiotic resistance in poultry broiler birds concerned in campylobacter, esbl producing E.coli and esbl producing Salmonella” Collaborative with the University of Tokyo, School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Veterinary Public Health Laboratory.

 

Contribution to National Development

—1. The results of the study “Effects of catchments characteristics, anthropological activities and industrial discharges on ground water quality in the Kelani river basin”  was used to prepare the strategic plan for “Kelani river, basin” collaborating with Ministry of Environmental and Mahaweli Development, UNDP and Central Environment Authority.

—2. Sri Lanka standard 614: 2013 UDC 663.6-Specification for potable water was revised based on the results obtained from the National survey  conducted by the Water quality and algae laboratory and NWSDB.

3. Microcystin and Cylindrospermopsin were included to SLSI water quality  Standards from 2014.

—4. A collaborative project was started with the Ministry of Environment and Mahaweli development to find a solution for distribution of invasive flora and fauna in irrigation tanks.

5. World Water Day-2015  Organized by the algae and water Quality laboratory collaborating with Ministry of Environment and Mahaweli Development.

—6. Organized 1st International Symposium-2013:- “ Cyanobacteria: (Blue Green Algae) and Public Health in Sri Lanka.”

 

Publications-2015

Full papers

Index journals

  • A. P. C. Piyathilaka, Manage. P.M., K. H. Tennekoon,B. G. D. N. K. De Silva, S. R. Samarakoon and S. Chanthirika. (2015). Microcystin-LR-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in human embryonic kidney and human kidney adenocarcinoma cell lines. Microbiology (2015), 161, 819–828
  • Takeshi Ohura , Hiroyuki Sakakibara , Izumi Watanabe, Won Joon Shim, Manage P.M. Keerth S. Guruge (2015) Spatial and vertical distributions of sedimentary halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in moderately polluted areas of Asia.Environmental Pollution 196 (2015) 331-340.

Peer review journals

  • A. S. A Rathnasri and Manage. P.M.(2015) Evaluation of groundwater quality in five grama divisions of Maharagama urban area using Groundwater Quality Index (WQI) Accepted for publication- International Journal in Multidisciplinary Studies (IJMS).
  • Mahagamage, M. G. Y. L. and P.M.(2015). “Water Quality Index (CCME- WQI) Based Assessment Study Of Water Quality In Kelani River Basin, Sri  Lanka.”International Journal of Environment and natural resources 1: 199-204.
  • G.Y. and Manage. P.M.(2015) Optimisation of Environmental Factors on Oil Degrading Bacteria Isolated from Coastal Water and Sediments in Sri Lanka. Journal of Tropical Forestry and Environment, 13-25.
  • Mahagamage, M.G.Y.L. and P.M. (2015) Mapping spatial distribution of water quality parameters of groundwater in the Kelani river basin in Sri Lanka using GIS, Proceeding of 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).3-5
  • Idroos, F.S. P.M.,B. G .D. N. K. De Silva and Laleen Karunanayake (2015) Development of a laboratory scale sand filter with Microcystin-LR degrading Bacillus cereus, Proceeding of 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015). 5-8
  • Manage, P.M. and Liyanage, G.Y. (2015) Role of native bacteria as a bioremediating agent for naphthalene and phenanthrene, Proceeding of 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).8-11
  • G.Y. and Manage. P.M. (2015) Presence of Tetracycline and Oxytetracycline Resistant Bacteria and Resistant Genes in Effluent Water of Zoological Garden, Sri Lanka. Proceeding of 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015). 11-14.

Abstracts

  • G.Y. and Manage. P.M. (2015) Presence of Tetracycline and Oxytetracycline Resistant Bacteria and Resistant Genes in Effluent Water of Zoological Garden, Sri Lanka. Accepted for 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).
  • Liyanage, G.Y. and P.M. (2015) Removal of Amoxicillin and Sulfanomide by freshwater bacteria in Sri Lanka, 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium Proceeding. Pg 52.
  • Manage, P.M. and Liyanage, G.Y. (2015) Isolation of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria from groundwater contaminated with crude oil in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.35.
  • Dharmadasa, P.S. and P.M. (2015) Degradation potential of diesel and gasoline by three native bacteria in Sri Lanka, 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium Proceeding. Pg 52.
  • Silva, D.B. and P.M. (2015) Removal of carbofuran from drinking water using natural rutile, 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium Proceeding. Pg 109.
  • Ganegoda, G.S.S., Manage, P.M. and Pathirage, S. (2015) Evaluation of well water quality in Maharagama with special emphasis on Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.10.
  • Piyathilaka, M.A.P.C., Manage, P.M., Tennekoon, K.H. and De Silva, B.G.D.N.K. (2015) Molecular screening of some selected water bodies in Sri Lanka for Microcystin producing genotypes 3rd International Conference of Frontiers to Molecular Life Sciences, IBMBB, Sri Lanka.
  • Idroos, F.S. Manage, P.M., B. G. D. N. K. De Silva and Laleen Karunanayake (2015) Development of a laboratory scale sand filter with Microcystin-LR degrading Bacillus cereus, 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).
  • Idroos, S.F., Manage, P.M. and De Silva, B.G.D.N.K. (2015) Role of Stenotrophomonasmaltophilia in the degradation of antibiotics and hydrocarbons. International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches Proceeding, Pg. 232.
  • Hettiarachchi, I.U. and P.M. (2015) Harmful Microcystin- LR (MC-LR) In relation to cyanobacterial diversity in selected water bodies, Sri Lanka, 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).
  • Mahagamage, M.G.Y.L. and P.M. (2015) Mapping spatial distribution of water quality parameters of groundwater in the Kelani river basin in Sri Lanka using GIS Accepted for 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).
  • Mahagamage, M.G.Y.L. and Manage, P.M. (2015) Application of water quality index (CCME-WQI) in assessing water quality for ground water in Kelani river basin, Sri Lanka, 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.6.
  • Mahagamage, M.G.Y.L. and Manage, P.M. (2015) Assessment of seasonal variation in groundwater quality of Kelani river basin by multivariate analysis, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches Proceeding, Pg. 234.
  • Silva, I.U., Rajapaksha, S.W. and Manage, P.M. (2015) Seasonal variation of water quality status of Menik Ganga,Kataragama, Sri Lanka, 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human  health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.7.
  • Idroos, S.F.,Manage, P.M. and De Silva, B.G.D.N.K. (2015) Optimization of Microcystin-LR degradation rates of isolated freshwater bacterial strains, 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.36.
  • Idroos, S.F. and P.M. (2015) Toxin producing cyanobacteria in Labugama, Kalatuwawa drinking water reservoirs, 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium Proceeding. Pg 55.
  • Piyathilake, M.A.P.C., Manage, P.M., Tennekoon, K.H. and De Silva, B.G.D.N.K.(2015) Screening of selected drinking water bodies in Sri Lanka for the detection of their potential for production of cyanotoxin, Microcystin using PCR, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches Proceeding, Pg. 212.
  • Piyathilake, M.A.P.C.,Manage, P.M. Tennekoon, K.H. and De Silva, B.G.D.N.K (2015) Comparative cytotoxicity of selected cyanotoxins on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) and Human Kidney Adenocarcinoma (ACHN) Cells. 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).
  • Silva, D.B. and Manage, P.M. (2015) Removal of Microcystin-LR from drinking water using natural rutile sand, 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.33.
  • Dharmadasa, P.S. and Manage, P.M. (2015) Degradation of Microcystin-LR by native bacteria, 4th International Symposium on “Water quality and Human health; Challenges Ahead Proceeding. Pg.95.
  • Manage, P.M. and Liyanage, G.Y. (2015) Role of native bacteria as a bio remediating agent for naphthalene and phenanthrene, Accepted for 11th International Academic Conference on Development in Science and Technology (IACDST-2015).
  • Liyanage, G.Y., Manage, P.M. and De Alwis, A. (2015) Study on the occurrence of Antibiotic Contaminations in the Aquatic Environment, Sri Lanka. International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches Proceeding, Pg. 198.
  • Liyanage, G.Y. and P.M. (2015) Detection of microbial degradation of natural rubber latex by isolated native bacteria in Sri Lanka, 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium Proceeding. Pg 37.
  • Wijesekara, W.A.M.A. and P.M. (2015) Antibacterial activity of isolated cyanobacteria species Oscillatoria sp., 20th International Forestry and Environment Symposium Proceeding. Pg 52.

Publications-2016

Full papers

 

  • A. P. C. Piyathilaka, Manage. P.M. and K. H. Tennekoon. (2016). Comparative cytotoxicity of selected cyanotoxins on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) and Human Kidney Adenocarcinoma (ACHN) cells. Journal of IOSL. 2(1): In press.
  • Yasodara Liyanage and Manage. P.M.(2016). Isolation and Characterization of Oil Degrading Bacteria from Coastal Waters and Sediments in Sri Lanka. Accepted for  publication-NSF
  • Yasodara Liyanage and Manage. P.M.(2016) Evaluation of Amoxicillin and Sulfonamide removal by Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter ludwigii and Enterobacter sp. Accepted for Journal of Environment and Natural Resources.
  • Mahagamage, M.G.Y.L. and Manage, P.M.(2016) Assessment of Water Quality Index for the Groundwater in Kelani river basin, Sri Lanka. Accepted for International Journal of Ecotechnology Research, Japan
  • Ganegoda, G.S.S., Manage, P.M. and Pathirage, S. (2016) Evaluation of ell water quality with special emphasis on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) at Maharagama, Sri Lanka, Accepted forInternational Journal of Ecotechnology Research, Japan

 

Abstracts

  • Piyathilake, M.A.P.C., Manage, P.M., Tennekoon, K.H. and De Silva, B.G.D.N.K (2016) Comparative cytotoxicity of selected cyanotoxins on Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) and Human Kidney Adenocarcinoma (ACHN) Cells.Proceeding of WONCA SAR. Sri Lanka. pp 60.
  • Yasodara Liyanage and Manage. P.M.(2016) Bacterial remediation of Hydrocarbons, Antibiotics and Cyanotoxins; Green Solution for Sustainable Ecosystem Pollution Management. Proceeding of India.