The prime objective of this study is to develop a water quality index (WQI) to identify the relationship between the drinking water quality and the prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) in the Uva Province (UP). For this, all CKDu patients in the province were recorded. 251 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for their major cations and anions. Following this procedure, the spatial distribution maps for CKDu patients, water quality parameters and WQI were generated. The results revealed that, 20.3% of groundwater samples are categorized under “excellent” in terms of the drinking water quality, 21.2% of the samples are categorized under “good”, 20.3% of the samples are categorized under “poor”, 9.9% of the samples are categorized under “very poor”, and 28.3% of the samples are categorized under “unsuitable” in terms of the WQI. According to the results, the most significant correlation was recorded between fluoride content in the samples and WQI (0.96). Statistical analysis showed that the WQI has a strong positive correlation (0.68) with the spatial distribution of CKDu patients in the UP inferring that groundwater quality has a significant effect on the prevalence of CKDu in the UP. Moreover, these maps can be effectively used by decision makers for groundwater quality management activities in the UP, Sri Lanka.

Purpose: Scientists have identified a plenty of bacterial strains having ability to degrade pesticide residues accumulated in the environment. Due to wide variation of chemical properties of pesticides, a single strain may not be versatile. Hence, identification of bioremediation ability of various bacteria is important. This review focused on understanding and explaining the role of soil bacteria having pesticide detoxification ability. Research Method: Previous research articles, book chapters and literature on bioremediation ability of different soil bacteria were reviewed and various strains of soil bacteria having bioremediation ability, mechanisms behind microbial bioremediation, factors affecting bioremediation and limitations and recent advancements of bioremediation were identified. Based on identified research gaps, further perspectives were introduced. Findings: The results revealed that plenty of soil bacteria having a bioremediation potential have been identified worldwide. As the major mechanism of bioremediation, the microorganisms consume pesticide-contaminated in the soil as their energy or nutrient sources. Various factors such as Bioavailability, Substrate and Environmental factors effect on bioremediation potential. Biostimulation, Bioaugmentation, Biopiling, Composting, Bioreactors and Land farming are identified as popular bioremediation methods suitable for the bioremediation of pesticide contaminants. However, this technique still remains partially developed due to the lack of versatile microorganisms for detoxifying variety of different pesticides. Originality/Value: As this is still a developing area, conducting further researches is timely important. Hence, reviewing literature and identifying already covered areas are important in mitigating the research gap. Therefore, focusing further research goals for the researchers is greatly helpful.

Sorption capacity of two different biochar (saw dust and rice straw) was evaluated in the recovery of chromium from wastewater. The optimum pH was 5-7 for recovery of Cr(III). Optimum yield was received after 1 hour contacting time with an adsorbent dose of 1 g/L and initial concentration was ∼20 mg/L. Cr(III) ions were transported to biochar surface through adsorption and intra-particle diffusion process. Langmuir and Freundlich kinetic parameters indicated that the affinity of the sorbent towards the uptake of Cr(III) ions and adsorptions were favorable. According to FTIR analysis of Cr(III) ions bound to active sites either electrostatic attraction or complexation mechanism. These results indicated that carbonyl, hydroxyl, amine and halides are the main adsorption sites in saw dust and rice straw biochar and these functional groups complexes with Cr(III) ions in the aqueous solution and changed the chemical environment of the functional groups in the biochar.