Authors :
Jayawardena, N.K.R.N.; Thirukeswaran, S.; Kalaotuwawe, K.M.B.P.P.; Pemarathne, S.K.S.; Weerasekara, K.A.W.S.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/mrxyymjb
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8126329
Abstract :
Lagoon ecosystems are an integral part of the
aquaculture and fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. Among the
brackish lagoons around the island, Nayaru Lagoon is
considered a complex socio-ecological entity of great
importance since the economic value provided by the
lagoon is mostly associated with the biological production
of aquatic animals and plants. The lack of recent and
reliable ecological information prevents the authorities
from assessing the ecological importance of the lagoon
and the possible impacts on Aquatic organisms. Thus, this
study, in a preliminary phase, aims to determine the
ecological importance of the lagoon, with the objectives of
assessing the Physico-chemical parameters of the lagoon
water and evaluating the impacts of water quality on
aquatic organisms. Water samples were collected from 25
sampling points within the lagoon using a random
sampling method, consisting of shallow and deep areas of
the entire lagoon and the lagoon mouth. Both in-situ [pH,
Water Temperature (WT), Electrical Conductivity (EC),
Salinity, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)] and laboratory analysis
[Nutrients and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)] of water
samples were carried out using the APHA standard
method. Results were compared using standards provided
in the Inland water quality guidelines provided in the
National Environmental Act 01 of 2019, Sri Lanka. The
results showed that pH, WT, and DO levels were within
the ambient levels which are suitable for aquatic
organisms. However, a significant spatial variation in
salinity, TDS and EC levels were identified in the lagoon
water samples. A comprehensive study on this lagoon is
recommended to understand the seasonal variation in
parameters and their collective impacts on the aquatic
organisms as a way forward.
Keywords :
Hazardous, Water Quality, Brackish water, Lagoon, Ecosystem, Aquaculture.
Lagoon ecosystems are an integral part of the
aquaculture and fisheries sector in Sri Lanka. Among the
brackish lagoons around the island, Nayaru Lagoon is
considered a complex socio-ecological entity of great
importance since the economic value provided by the
lagoon is mostly associated with the biological production
of aquatic animals and plants. The lack of recent and
reliable ecological information prevents the authorities
from assessing the ecological importance of the lagoon
and the possible impacts on Aquatic organisms. Thus, this
study, in a preliminary phase, aims to determine the
ecological importance of the lagoon, with the objectives of
assessing the Physico-chemical parameters of the lagoon
water and evaluating the impacts of water quality on
aquatic organisms. Water samples were collected from 25
sampling points within the lagoon using a random
sampling method, consisting of shallow and deep areas of
the entire lagoon and the lagoon mouth. Both in-situ [pH,
Water Temperature (WT), Electrical Conductivity (EC),
Salinity, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and
Dissolved Oxygen (DO)] and laboratory analysis
[Nutrients and Total Suspended Solids (TSS)] of water
samples were carried out using the APHA standard
method. Results were compared using standards provided
in the Inland water quality guidelines provided in the
National Environmental Act 01 of 2019, Sri Lanka. The
results showed that pH, WT, and DO levels were within
the ambient levels which are suitable for aquatic
organisms. However, a significant spatial variation in
salinity, TDS and EC levels were identified in the lagoon
water samples. A comprehensive study on this lagoon is
recommended to understand the seasonal variation in
parameters and their collective impacts on the aquatic
organisms as a way forward.
Keywords :
Hazardous, Water Quality, Brackish water, Lagoon, Ecosystem, Aquaculture.
