Impact of Lockdown on the Surface Water Quality in Kelani River, Sri Lanka-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Impact of Lockdown on the Surface Water Quality in Kelani River, Sri Lanka

Published:2023-10-29 Issue:21 Volume:15 Page:3785
ISSN:2073-4441
Container-title:Water
language:en
Short-container-title:Water

Author:

Yapabandara Isuru¹²³⁴,Wei Yuansong¹²³⁴⁵^ORCID,Ranathunga Bimsara¹²³⁴,Indika Suresh¹²³⁴,Jinadasa K. B. S. N.⁶^ORCID,Weragoda Sujithra K.⁴⁷,Weerasooriya Rohan⁵,Makehelwala Madhubashini⁴

Affiliation:

1. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

2. Laboratory of Water Pollution Control Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China

4. China–Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology, Ministry of Water Supply, Meewathura, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka

5. National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Kandy 20000, Sri Lanka

6. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka

7. National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Katugastota 20800, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown has been regarded as a catalyst for the restoration of natural water bodies worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impacts of the lockdown on the water quality of the Kelani River, Sri Lanka. The water quality downstream of the Kelani River Basin was greatly improved during the lockdown season, The concentration of biological oxygen demand (BOD) decreased downstream by ~46% during the lockdown, while that in the middle and upstream reduced by 7.1% and 5.0%, respectively. The concentration of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was diminished by around 65%, 52%, and 43% in downstream, middle stream, and upstream, respectively, in the lockdown season. However, in post-lockdown season, upstream showed the highest spatial variation in nitrate concentration, which may be due to excessive use of fertilizers in that region. Many industries temporarily shut down or scaled back operations during the lockdown, which allowed for a large reduction in the discharge of pollutants, particularly in the river’s downstream region. The river’s water quality showed a significant improvement as a result of temporarily suspending human activities.

Funder

Joint Research Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China

Alliance of International Science Organizations Collaborative Research Program

Master Fellowship Program

Program of China–Sri Lanka Joint Center for Water Technology Research

China–Sri Lanka Joint Center for Education and Research by the CAS

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Water Science and Technology,Aquatic Science,Geography, Planning and Development,Biochemistry

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/15/21/3785/pdf

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