Dr. Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha

Senior Lecturer ? On Contract


Contact:

Colombo Regional Center,

Office: +94 112 881 131, Ext: 631

E-mail: anushkaupamali@gmail.com

I hold B.Sc. in Chemistry Special (Second upper) from University of Peradeniya (2008), M.Phil (Chemical Sciences) from University of Peradeniya (2012) and Ph.D. in Biological Environment from Kangwon National University, South Korea (2015). During my PhD work, the research aim was to develop novel engineered/designer biochar as innovative solutions to environmental issues, mainly for remediating toxic heavy metals and pharmaceuticals contaminated soil and water.

Last Updated on 4 years

Areas of Specialization:

Chemistry, Environmental Remediation, Adsorption, Biological Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Pharmaceutical

Research interests:

Environmental remediation using low cost sorbents, Geochemical investigations of essential trace elements

Affiliations:

International Conference Organization

  • 10/2016           International Organizing Committee, 3rd Asia Pacific Biochar Conference (APBC), Gangwon, Korea
  • 10/2014           Conference Secretary, CLEAR 2014 – The 2nd International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation, Chuncheon, Korea

 

Dissemination of Knowledge:

Reviewer for International Journals

  • Environment International (Impact Factor – 5.559)
  • Journal of Hazardous Materials (Impact Factor – 3.925)
  • Chemosphere (Impact Factor – 3.499)
  • Applied Geochemistry (Impact Factor – 2.017)
  • Journal of Soils and Sediments (Impact Factor – 1.965)
  • Environmental Geochemistry and Health (Impact Factor-2.076)
  • Bioremediation Journal (Impact Factor- 0.784)
  • Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment
  • Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A
  • Applied and Environmental Soil Science

Science Dissemination

Ussangoda wata gethunu matha waada saha ehi widyathmaka pasubima (Ussangoda – Scientific background and believes), Vidusara, 13 June  2012.

Professional Activities:

              Associations 

                        Member – American Geophysical Union, USA

                        Member – Royal Society of Chemistry, UK

                        Member – American Chemical Society, USA

            Conference Secretary – International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014)-Chuncheon, Korea Oct 5-8, 2014

10/2016 Convener, Session (SMART Biochar Technology – A Shifting Paradigm towards Advanced Materials and Healthcare Research) 3rd Asia Pacific Biochar Conference (APBC), Gangwon, Korea

Secretary (2012-2015), Korea Biochar Research Center, Kangwon National University, Korea

Course Coordination:

NSU 3106 (Nutrition); BPU1110 (General Chemistry), BPU1213 (Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry); BPU2120 (Biochemistry); BPU3233 (Medicinal Chemistry)

Awards:
  • President's Awards for Scientific Publication – Sri Lanka (Published in the year 2013) – 2015
  • President's Awards for Scientific Publication – Sri Lanka (Published in the year 2012) – 2014
  • Merit Award for Scientific Research (Published in the year 2010 & 2011), National Research Council, Sri Lanka -2014
  • “Best Research Achievement Award” – Kangwon National University, Korea 2015 Graduate Convocation
  • Recipients of BEST KNU “Bring Excellent Students to Kangwon National University” Program- 2012 (Government Scholarship)
Researches:

Research Publications (Total 31 articles in SCI journals & 50+ conference proceeding publications since 2012)

Paper publications in International Peer Reviewed Journals

(SCOPUS Author ID:36834250900) h index: 10

2015

  1. Rajapaksha, A.U., Chen, S.S., Tsang, D.C.W., Zhang, M., Vithanage, M., Mandal, S., Gao, B., Bolan, N.S., Ok, Y.S., (2016) Engineered/designer biochar for contaminant removal/immobilization from soil and water: Potential and implication of biochar modification. Chemosphere, 148, 276-291 (SCI, IF=3.340) (JCR Top 20%, Environmental Sciences)..
  2. Rajapaksha, A.U, Vithanage, M., Lee, S., Seo, D.-C., Tsang, D.W., Ok, Y. 2015. Steam activation of biochars facilitates kinetics and pH-resilience of sulfamethazine sorption. J Soils Sediments. (In press) 1-7 10.1007/s11368-015-1325-x.
  3. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Ahmad, M., Seo, D-C., Cho, J-S., Lee, S-E., Lee, S.S and Ok, Y.S.. (2015) Enhanced Sulfamethazine Removal by Steam-Activated Invasive Plant-Derived Biochar, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 290, 43-50 (SCI, IF=4.311) (JCR Top 10%, Civil Engineering).
  4. Rajapaksha, A.U., Ahmad, M., Vithanage, M., Kim, K-R., Lee, S.S and Ok, Y.S. (2015) The role of biochar, natural iron oxides, and nanomaterials as soil amendments for immobilizing metals in shooting range soil, Environmental Geochemistry and Health, DOI 10.1007/s10653-015-9694-z (In press) (JCR Top 20%, Water Resources).
  5. Ahmad, M., Ok, Y. S., Rajapaksha, A.U., Lim, J. E., Kim, B. -Y., Ahn, J. -H., Lee, Y. H., Alwabel, M. I., Lee, S. -E.,  Lee, S. S. (2015) Lead and copper immobilization in a shooting range soil using soybean stover- and pine needle-derived biochars: Chemical, microbial and spectroscopic assessments, (In press) Journal of Hazardous Materials, (SCI, IF=4.311) (JCR Top 10%, Civil Engineering).
  6. Ahmed, M.B.M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Lim, J.E., Vu, N.T., Kim, I.S., Kang, H.M., Lee, S.S., Ok, Y.S. (2015). Distribution and accumulative pattern of tetracyclines and sulfonamides in edible vegetables of cucumber, tomato, and lettuce. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 63, 398-405 (SCI, IF=3.107) (JCR Top 10%, Agriculture, Multidisciplinary).
  7. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Ahmad, M., Dou, X., Uchimiya, M. and Ok, Y.S. (2015) Mechanisms of Antimony adsorption onto soybean stover derived biochar in aqueous solutions, Journal of Environmental Management. 51, 443-449 (SCI, IF=3.188) (JCR Top 20%, Environmental Sciences).
  8. Liu, C., Wang, H., Tang, X., Guan, Z., Reid, B. J., Rajapaksha, A. U., Ok, Y. S. and Sun, S.  (2015) Biochar increased water holding capacity but accelerated organic carbon leaching from a sloping farmland soil in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, (in press) (IF 2.573) (JCR Top 20%, Water Resources)
  9. Zhang, M., Ahmad, M., Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A. U., Kim, H. S., Lee, S. S., Al-Wabel, M. I. and Ok, Y. S. (2015) Adsorptive removal of trichloroethylene in water by crop residue biochars pyrolyzed at contrasting temperatures: Continuous fixed-bed experiments. Journal of Chemistry, (in press) (IF 0.622).

2014

  1. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Zhang, M., Ahmad, M., Mohan, D., Chang, S.X. and Ok, Y.S. (2014) Pyrolysis conditions affected sumfamethazine sorption by tea waste biochars. Bioresourse Technology, 166: 303-308 (SCI, IF=4.750) (JCR Top 10%, Agricultural Engineering).
  2. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Lim, J.E., Ahmed, M.B., Zhang, M., Lee, S.S. and Ok, Y.S.* (2014) Invasive plant-derived biochar inhibits sulfamethazine uptake by lettuce in soil. Chemosphere, 111: 500-504 (SCI, IF=3.137) (JCR Top 20%, Environmental Sciences).
  3. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Bootharaju, M.S., Pradeep, T. (2014). Surface complexation of fluoride at the activated nano-gibbsite water interface. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 462(0), 124-130 (SCI, IF=2.354)
  4. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Zhang, M., Thiele-Bruhn, S., Lee, S.S. and Ok, Y.S. (2014) Acid Activated Biochar Increased Sulfamethazine Retention in Soils. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI 10.1007/s11356-014-3434-2 (SCI, IF=2.567)
  5. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Tang, X., Thiele-Bruhn, S., Kim, K.H., Lee, S.E. and Ok, Y.S (2014) Sorption and transport of sulfamethazine in agricultural soils amended with invasive-plant-derived-biochar. Journal of Environmental Management, 141, 95-103 (SCI, IF=3.057) (JCR Top 20%, Environmental Sciences).
  6. Ahmad, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Lim, J.E., Zhang, M., Bolan, N., Mohan, D., Vithanage, M., Lee, S.S. and Ok, Y.S (2014) Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere,  99: 19-33 (SCI, IF=3.137) (3rd Hottest Article, January to December 2014 full year; 6th Most Downloaded article, September and October, 2014).
  7. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Oze, C., Rajakaruna, N., Dissanayake, C.B. (2014) Metal release from serpentine soils in Sri Lanka. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment: 186(6): 3415-3429 (SCI, 1.592)
  8. Almaroai, Y.A., Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Lee, S.S., Dou, X., Lee, Y.H., Sung, J.K. and Ok, Y.S.* (2014) Natural and synthesized iron-rich amendments for As and Pb immobilization in agricultural soil. Chemistry and Ecology, 30: 267-279 (SCIE, IF = 1.069)
  9. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Wijesekara, H., Weerarathne, N., Ok, Y.S.(2014) Effects of soil type and fertilizer on As speciation in rice paddy contaminated with As-containing pesticide. Environmental Earth Sciences, 71(2): 837-847. (SCI, IF=1.445)
  10. Herath, H. M. L.I, Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Senevirathne, G (2014) Developed fungal-bacterial biofilms as a novel tool for bioremoval of hexavelant chromium from wastewater, Chemistry and Ecology, 30(5):418-427 (SCIE, IF = 1.069)
  11.  Lim, J.E., Rajapaksha, A.U., Jeong, S.H., Kim, S.C., Kim, K.H., Lee, S.S. and Ok, Y.S.* (2013) Monitoring of selected veterinary antibiotics in animal carcass disposal site and adjacent agricultural soil. Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry, 57:189-196 (SCOUPUS)

2013

  1. Rajapaksha, A.U, Vithanage, M., Ok, Y.S., Oze, C. (2013) Cr(VI) formation related to Cr(III)-muscovite and birnessite interactions in ultramafic environments. Environmental Science and Technology, 47: 9722-9729. (SCI, IF = 5.257) (JCR Top 10%, Environmental Sciences).
  2. Ahmad, M., Lee, S.S., Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Zhang, M., Cho, J.S., Lee, S., Ok, Y.S. (2013) Trichloroethylene adsorption by pine needle biochars produced at various pyrolysis temperatures, Bioresource  Technology, 143: 615-622. (SCI, IF= 4.750) (JCR Top 10%, Agricultural Engineering)
  3. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Dou, X., Bolan, N.S., Ok, Y.S. (2013) Surface complexation modeling and spectroscopic evidence of antimony adsorption on iron-oxide-rich red earth soils, Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 406: 217-224 (SCI, IF= 3.172).
  4. Lee, S.S., Abd El-Azeem, S.A.M., Lim, J.E., Rajapaksha, A.U., Kim, K.R., Lee, Y.H., Lee, Y.B., Chang, Y.Y. and Ok, Y.S. (2013) Efficacy of rapeseed residue and eggshell waste on enzyme activity and soil quality in rice paddy.  Chemistry and Ecology, 29(6): 501-510. (SCIE, IF = 1.069).

2012

  1. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Weerasooriya, R. and Dissanayake, C.B (2012). Surface complexation of Ni on iron and aluminum oxides; Surface complexation of Ni on iron and aluminum oxides; A comparative study with single and dual site clays. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 405: 79-87.  (SCI, IF= 2.236)
  2. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Oze, C., Bandara, A. and Weerasooriya, R (2012). Nickel and manganese release in serpentine soil from the Ussangoda Ultramafic Complex, Sri Lanka.  Geoderma, 189-190: 1-9. (SCI, IF= 2.318)
  3. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage , M., Jayarathne, L., Kumara, C.K. (2011). Natural Red Earth as a low cost material for arsenic removal; kinetics and the effect of competing ions. Applied Geochemistry. 26: 648-654. (SCI, IF= 2.176)
  4. Vithanage, M., Jayarathna, L., Rajapaksha, A.U., Dissanayake, C.B., Bootharaju, M.S., Pradeep, T (2012). Modeling sorption  of fluoride on to iron rich laterite. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 398: 69-75. (SCI, IF= 2.236)
  5. Sewwandi, B.G.N., Vithanage . M., Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R., Rajapaksha, A.U, Jayarathna, D.G.L.M., Mowjood, M.I.M. (2012) Characterization of aqueous Pb(II) and Cd(II) biosorption on native and chemically modified Alstonia macrophylla saw dust. Bioremediation, 16: 113-124.

Book Chapters

  • Rajapaksha, A.U., Igalavithana, A.D., Mohan, D., Lee, S.S and Ok, Y.S (2015). Definitions and fundamentals of biochar. In Biochar Prooduction, Characterization and Applications. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
  • Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Ahmad, M., Shinogi, Y., Kim, K.H., Kim, G. and Ok, Y.S. (2013) Biochar for waste management and environmental sustainability. In Sustainable Solid Waste Management. American Society of Civil Engineers. Springer. 

Full Paper Publications in International Conferences

  1. Rajapaksha, A.U., Ahmad, M., Vithanage, M., Kim, K-R., Lee, S.S., Ok, Y.S. The role of biochar, natural iron oxides and nanomaterials as soil amendments for immobilizing metals in shooting range soil , International Conference on Remediation and Management of Soil and Groundwater Contaminated Site, Taipei, Taiwan. 26th-28th November, 2014.
  2. Ahmad, M., Igalavithana, A., Lee, S.S., Rajapaksha, A., Ok, Y.S (2014). SMART Biochar Technology for Remediation on of Toxic Metals in Soils. Proc. Of MARCO-FFTC Joint Int. Seminar on Management and remediation Technologies of Rural Soils Contaminated by Heavy Metals and Radioactive Materials, Taichung, Taiwan, Sep 22-26, 2014.
  3. Rajapaksha, A.U, Vithanage , M., Jayarathne, L., Kumara, C.K. (2010).Natural Red Earth as a possible low cost substrate for arsenic removal in water; Comparison of laboratory controlled and uncontrolled conditions. Arsenic in Geosphere and Human Diseases- Jean, Bundschuh & Bhattacharya (eds) AS2010 Taylor & Francis Group, London.
  4. Sewwandi, B.G.N., Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R., Rajapaksha, A.U, Mowjood, M.I.M., Vithanage, M. (2011). Risk of Soil and Water by Heavy Metals in Landfill Leachate. In Proc . International conference on Agricultural Engineering, Thailand, 31st March-1st April 2011: 43.
  5. Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R, Rajapaksha, A.U., Jayarathna, I.P.L, Basnayake, B.F.A, Vithanage, M. Toxic metals in soils contaminated by landfill leachate in Kandy area, Sri Lanka. The 12th Annual Conference of Thai Society of Agricultural Engineering. Chonburi, Thailand; 31 March-1 April 2011

Abstract Publications in International Conferences

  1. Rajapaksha, A.U., Igalavithana, A.D., samrat, A.M., Alessi, D.S., Ok, Y.S. Removal of hexavalent chromium in aqueous solutions using biochars: Advanced spectroscopic and chemical investigations. 13th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements (ICOBTE 2015), Fukuoka, Japan, 12th-16th July, 2015.
  2. Rajapaksha, A.U., Lee, S.S., Ok, Y.S. SMART Biochar for management of veterinary antibiotics in the environment. International Conference on Solid Wastes 2015: Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Resource Management, Hong Kong, 19th-23rd May, 2015.
  3. Lou, K., Rajapaksha, A.U., Ok, Y.S., Chang, S.X. The efficacy of pine sawdust biochar on remediation of metal contamination in oil sands process-affected water. Alberta Soil Science Workshop, Edmontoan, AB. Canada, 17th-19th February, 2015.
  4. Ahmad, M., Lee, S.S., Zhang, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Ok, Y.S. Trichloroetlylene Contamination and its Remediation Strategy. Second International Conference on Sustainable Urbanization, Hong Kong, China, 7th-9th January, 2015.
  5. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Lee, S.S., Zhang, M., Ok, Y.S. Enhanced Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water by Steam-Activated Biochar. Second International Conference on Sustainable Urbanization, Hong Kong, China, 7th-9th January, 2015.
  6. Rajapaksha, A.U., Igalavithana, A.D., samrat, A.M., Alessi, D.S., Ok, Y.S. Removal of hexavalent chromium in aqueous solutions using different biochars and characterization of the products of the Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction. Sources, Transport, and Fate of Trace and Toxic Elements in the Environment, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting,  Vancouver, British Columbia, 19th-22nd October, 2014.
  7. Zhang, M., Ok, Y.S.,Park, J.N., Rajapaksha, A.U., Xu, L.H. Characterization of single component biochar derived from cellulose. 2nd International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014), Chuncheon, Korea, 5th-8th October 2014.
  8. Park, J.N., Rajapaksha, A.U., Lim, J.E., Vithanage, M., Kim, G-B., Ok, Y.S. Lead immobilization in agriculture soil with sewage sludge biochars produced at different temperatures. 2nd International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014), Chuncheon, Korea, 5th-8th October 20143.
  9. Lou, K., Rajapaksha, A.U., Ok, Y.S., Chang, S.X. Can LFH, Peat and biochar amendments reduce acid mine drainage from dry mature fine tailings in oil sands region of Alberta? 2nd International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014), Chuncheon, Korea, 5th-8th October 2014.
  10. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Zhang, M., Ahmad, M., Mohan, D., Chang, S.X. and Ok, Y.S.* Pyrolysis conditions affected sumfamethazine sorption by tea waste biochars. 2nd International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014), Chuncheon, Korea, 5th-8th October 2014
  11. Rajapaksha, A.U, Vithanage, M., Ok, Y.S., Oze, C. Cr(VI) formation related to Cr(III)-muscovite and birnessite interactions in ultramafic environments. 2nd International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2014), Chuncheon, Korea, 5th-8th October 2014.
  12. Rajapaksha, A.U., Igalavithana, A.D., Ok, Y.S. Removal of Hexavalent Chromium in Aqueous Solutions Using Different Biochars. The 20th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS)- Biochar Soil Amendment for Environmental and Agronomic Benefits, Jeju, Korea, 8th-13th June, 2014
  13. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Lim, J.E., Ahmed, M.B., Zhang, M., lee, S.S., Ok, Y.S Invasive Plant-derived Biochar Inhibits Sulfamethazine Uptake by Lettuce in Soil. The 20th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) – Environmental Management of Post-Epidemic Carcass Burial Sites, Jeju, Korea, 8th-13th June, 2014
  14. Vithanage, M., Almaroai, Y.A., E., Rajapaksha, A.U., Sung, J.K., Moon, D.H., Ok, Y.S Combined Effects of Carbon Nanotube and Biochar on Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals in Shooting Range Soils. The 20th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS) – Biochar Soil Amendment for Environmental and Agronomic Benefits, Jeju, Korea, 8th-13th June, 2014
  15. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Yang, J.E., Kim, K.H., Kim, G., Ok, Y.S. Adsorption of sulfamethazine onto biochars derived from tea waste and invasive plant (Burcucumber). International Conference on Solid Waste 2013, Innovation in Technology and Management (ICSWHK2013), Hong Kong, 5th-8th May 2013.
  16. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A. U., Yang, J. E., Kim, K. H., Kim, G., Ok, Y. S. Effects of  Burcucumber biochar on sulfamethazine transport in soil column. International Conference on Solid Waste 2013, Innovation in Technology and Management (ICSWHK2013), Hong Kong, 5th-8th May 2013.
  17. Na, S.H., Rajapaksha, A. U., Vithanage, M., Kim, K. H., Kim, G., Ok, Y. S. Characterization of Perilla Biochar Produced Under Different Pyrolysis Temperature. International Conference on Solid Waste 2013, Innovation in Technology and Management (ICSWHK2013), Hong Kong, 5th-8th May 2013.
  18. Park, J.N., Ahmad, M., Lim, J.E., Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Kim, G., Ahn, J.H., Ok, Y.S. Effect of pyrolysis temperature on sewage sludge biochar properties and its effect on Pb immobilization in agricultural soil. International Conference on Solid Waste 2013, Innovation in Technology and Management (ICSWHK2013), Hong Kong, 5th-8th May 2013.
  19. Rajapaksha, A.U., Wijesundara, D.M., Vithanage, M., Ok, Y.S. Genesis of Cr(VI) in Sri Lankan soils and its adsorptive removal by calcined gibbsite. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 2012, December, San Francisco, USA
  20. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Oze, C., Ok, Y.S.  Natural attenuation of Cr(VI) by humic substances in serpentine soils from Sri Lanka, 1st International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation, Hangzhou, China, 4th-8th November 2012.
  21. Rajapaksha, A.U.,  Vithanage, M., Ahmad, M., Ok, Y.S Efficacy of soybean stover-derived biochar for antimony removal from water , The 4th IBI Biochar Congress, Beijing, China, 16th-20th September 2012.
  22. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Wijesekara., S.S.R.M.D.H.R., Weerarathna, N., Ok, Y.S., Probing the effect of soil types and fertilizer on arsenic portioning under simulated environmental conditions. The 6th Pacific Basin Conference on Adsorption Science and Technology, 20th -23rd May 2012.
  23. Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R, Dideriksen, K., Rajapaksha, A.U., Jayarathna, I.P.L, Basnayake, B.F.A, Vithanage, M. Application of nano zero valent iron for landfill leachate treatment in the tropics. The 27th International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. March, 2012
  24. Rajapaksha, R.M.A.U., Vithanage, M., Bandara, W.M.A.T., Weerasooriya, R. Nickel adsorption on single and dual site clay surfaces; Effect of pH and nickel loadings. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 2011, December, San Francisco, USA
  25. Vithanage, M., Hettiarachchi, J.K., Rajapaksha, R.M.A.U., Wijesekara, H., Hewawasam, T. Heavy metals in Ratnapura alluvial gem sediments, Sri Lanka. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 2011, December, San Francisco, USA
  26. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., S.S.R.M.D.H.R. Wijesekara, Ahmad, M., Ok, Y.S. Efficacy of soybean stover biochar for arsenic and antimony removal from aqueous solutions. 1st International Biochar Symposium, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea. Dec, 2011
  27. Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A.U., Mahatantila, K., Ahmad, M., Ok, Y.S. Modeling antimony adsorption on soybean biochar. 1st International Biochar Symposium, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea. Dec, 2011
  28. Vithanage, M., Ahmad, M., Rajapaksha, A.U and Ok, Y.S. Application of surface complexation modelling and synchrotron based spectroscopic techniques to soil and environmental systems. Korean Society for Soil Science and Fertilizer Annual Meeting, Oct. 2011
  29. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Oze, C., Bandara, W.M.A.T. & Weerasooriya, R. Formation of Cr(VI) related to Cr(III)-muscovite in soil and groundwater systems. Sources, Transport, and Fate of Trace and Toxic Elements in the Environment, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting,  2011
  30. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Bandara, W.M.A.T. & Weerasooriya, R. Heavy metal release from serpentine soil dissolution: Fractional speciation of Ni and Mn. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting, San Francisco, December, 2010.
  31. Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M., Bandara, W.M.A.T. & Weerasooriya, R. Effect of organic and inorganic acids on serpentinite soil dissolution; Release of Ni and Mn to the environment. Abstract accepted in the session of Sources, Transport, and Fate of Trace and Toxic Elements in the Environment of the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, 2010.
  32. Rajapaksha, A., Obeysekera, J., Irizarry, M., Gunathilake, R., Fernando, N., Vithanage, M., Past and Future Climatic Trends of Precipitation and Temperature in Sri Lanka. Abstract accepted in International Seminar 2010 on Climate Change and Environmental Challenges of 21st Century. Institute of Environmental Science, University of Rajshahi,Rajshahi, Bangladesh.

Abstract Publications in Local Conferences

  1. Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R, Rajapaksha, A.U., Jayarathna, I.P.L, Basnayake, B.F.A, Vithanage, M. Temporal variation of landfill leachate quality at Gohagoda dump site. International Forestry and Environment Symposium. Sri Jayewardenepura University, Oct, 2011
  2. Vithanage, M., Ramanayake, A., Rajapaksha, A., Jayarathne, L., Kumara, C.K., Premathilake, M., Ranjith, A.D., Hewawasam, T. Hydrogeochemical characteristics of ground water in Hambantota District, Sri Lanka. Presented in the Annual sessions of Geological Society of Sri Lanka, Feb 26th 2010, Colombo.
  3. Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R, Rajapaksha, A.U., Jayarathna, I.P.L, Basnayake, B.F.A, Vithanage, M. Toxic metals in soils contaminated by landfill leachate in Gohagoda dump site, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Symposium on Disasters: Reduction, Mitigation and Management. Proceedings of the 27th Annual sessions of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka. 25-26 February, 2011
  4. Jayarathna, I.P.L., Rajapaksha, A.U., Vithanage, M. Defluoridation behavior of laterite under different pH, contact time, fluoride loading and co-existing ions. Symposium on Disasters: Reduction, Mitigation and Management. Proceedings of the 27th Annual sessions of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka. 25-26 February, 2011
  5. Kumara, H.A.J., Wijesekara, S.S.R.M.D.H.R, Rajapaksha, A.U., Jayarathna, I.P.L, Hewawasam, A.L.T., Vithanage, M. Fractionation and availability of heavy metals in Ratnapura gem bearing alluvium. Proceedings of the 27th Annual sessions of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka. 25-26 February, 2011
  6. Rajapaksha, R.M.A.U., Vithanage, M., Bandara, W.M.A.T., Weerasooriya, R. Toxic metal release from serpentine soils in simulated environmental conditions. Proceedings of the 27th Annual sessions of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka. 25-26 February, 2011

 

Research Supervisions:

M.Sc. Students

1. Nayomi Sarathchandra, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. Research Study of Goitre distribution of Nuwara-Eliya District (Sri Lanka) by means of levels of Iodine and Selenium content in drinking water Sources

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