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Characteristics of Groundwater and Soil Chemical Variation of Polpithigama Area, Sri Lanka

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Abstract

Elemental compositions of water, and surface and subsurface soils indicate characterization and mobilization of elements within soil profiles. The chemical variations of groundwater (n = 21) and surface and subsurface soils (n = 18 each) of the Polpithigama area were examined to determine elemental spatial variation in the area. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), oxygen reduction potential (ORP)) and NO3−, PO42−, Mn, Fe, and F were analyzed for the water samples in the field using field test kits. Soil samples were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence for 22 major and trace elements. Iron, Mn, NO3−, and PO42− concentrations in water are lower than the threshold values of WHO. The fluoride content was increased with high elevation even within a short distance. The fluoride and phosphate are highly variable between the soil layers and are preferably retained in the surface soil. The vertical variation is resulted by intensive weathering under tropical conditions, mobility of ions, variation of elements, and variation of soil constituents such as different contents of organic matter and clay content consisting of high total sulfur (TS) contents. Migration of some ions to the groundwaters of the area is possible due to high mobility of elements and thus the compositions of some elements show variations in the surface and subsurface soils.

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Acknowledgements

Funding from the Japanese government to carry out the research is highly appreciated. The government offices in Polpithigama area who supported the sampling are acknowledged.

Funding

Funding is received from the Japanese government to carry out the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Sansfica M. Young

  2. Department of Earth Science, Shimane University, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan

    H. Ishiga

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  1. Sansfica M. Young
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  2. H. Ishiga
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The first author was involved in the sampling, sample preparation for analysis, data analysis, and writing of the manuscript.

The second author was involved in sampling, analysis, and supervising.

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Correspondence to Sansfica M. Young.

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Young, S.M., Ishiga, H. Characteristics of Groundwater and Soil Chemical Variation of Polpithigama Area, Sri Lanka. Water Air Soil Pollut 232, 328 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-021-05287-w

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